FARM SCIENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1931, Page 2

FARM SCIENCE

WORK OF MASSEY COLLEGE. A BRIEF HISTORY. (.“Dominion.”) During the course of the Manawatu A. ana P.. Association’s winter show, members of the larming community and others interested in me country's priihary products will no doubt take the opportunity of paying a ,visit ot inspection to Massey Agriculture College.

7* Those-who do so will find that thenvisit has been of a high entertaining, educational and instructive value and has given them a greater realisation of the part that is played in fostering the Dominion’s primary products by the utilisation of science to increase and improve the quality of our products, to seek new avenues for the absorption of waste materials and - the investigation of new products. The value of . the application of science to agriculture in all its branches is recognised by practically every section of the community, while the present slump in the prices for the country’s produce and the complaints that have been made in respect of the quality of our cheese and wool emphasise more and more this value. Four years ago on June 1, 1927, the Massey Agriculture College came into existence. Since that date this University of Agriculture has made such remarkable development and progress that it now ranks with any similar institution in Australia. By the steady growth in the number of its students, its practical character, the appropriate scope of its curriculum and the research work that is being carried out in conjunction with the Dairy Research Institute and the Department-of Scientific and industrial Research, the college has more than justified its existence and fullilled the hopes held out for its success. In 1923 a gift of £23,00 was made to Victoria University College lor tlie establishment of a Chair of AgiicnlThis was first held by Professor G. S. Pcren. .In the same year a bequest, made some years earlier, was paid to the Auckland University College for the same purpose, and in 1929 Professor W. Riddet was appointed The cost of two schools being recognised as uneconomic committees representative of the two colleges discussed amalgamation and the question of choosing a- site in the Palmerston North-Marton. area was left to the two Professors.

RANGES OF COURSE. In September of 1926 the New Zealand Agricultural College Act was passed and the new School of Agriculture established. The property 'of the late Mr J, Batchelor, which was recommended by the two professors aa the most- suitable, was purchased by the Government, and in February of the following year the college council met for its initial meeting, In June the Massey Agricultural College Act was passed, and since then the college has worked* under its present designation and constitution. The Palmerston North Borough Council presented the land on which the recently-opened buildings are erected to the college in March of 1928, having purchased the. property for this purpose from Mr P, A, McHardy,

The courses offered to students at the college ar© spread over a wide range of subjects and include practical and theoretical farming in its many branches. The courses are : Leading to the degree of bachelor of agricultural' science; leading to the degree of master of agricultural science; leading to the associateship in dairy manufactures of the .juassey Agricultural College ; sh,eep farm ng; dairy farming ; herd testing; wool and wool-class-ing. The college tuition centres very largely on dairy and sheep farming, which are the two leading branches of farming found in the North Island. iThe college is engaged in dairying research and is associated with the Dairy Research Institute ; in sheep research ; and in research into wool and flax in conjunction with the Department of Scientific and Industrial . Research. WIDE' AiCREAGE.

The total acreage of the college farm is 865 acres.of a wide range of soil types and conditions. A modern dairy factory, designed and equipped for the purpose of instructing students, and for • the purpose of carrying out experimental work; an up-to-date milking shed; wool shed and yards; piggery and poultry plant, and accommodation, are included in the college’s farm buildings, in addition to these farm buildings extensive and well equipped science rooms and laboratories are situated in the main science block, which is situated on a commanoing site overlooking the city. The principal breeds of sheep, pigs, cattle and poultry are represented among the live stock on the farm. 'I he milking herd consists of in the vicinity ibfC’loo milking cows and young stock, composed chiefly of purebred and grade ‘Jersey, Friesian and Ayrshire cattle. Purebred Romney Marsh, Southdown and Ryland sheep compose the college flock, the mam flock being crossbred Romney Marjsh. The beef cattle consist of purebred Aberdeen-Angus • cattle, in addition to the essential number of store bullocks. Herds of pure Berkshire, Tamworth, Large Black and Large White pigs are maintained in the college piggery. Though the students of the college have up to the present been men . students, the' facilities of the college are Equally available for women. It is hoped that .the facility will be availed by

by them, and that in the near future a< school of domestic science will be operating in conjunction with the college to provide well-educated helpmates for the future farmers of the Dominion, trained in an institution breathing an agricultural air, such as Massey College does. Housed in its new and up-to-date buildings the college is situated, on a commanding site overlooking the city. From the main science block the refectory building is discernible 'through the trees, which do not mar, but rather enhance, its striking architectural features. The main science block, which is an imposing .structure with an atmosphere of pleasing dignity, has - numerous laboratories, a large library, a fine assembly ball with polished heart of matai floors. Nine foot corridors make complete squares on both., the first and ground floors, while blocks oi solid marble compose the steps leading to the main entrance hall. The Maori has been paid a striking tribute in the finished designs, motifs of symbolic aspect figuring on the walls, while the lintels, balcony face-.;, panels and pillars have been executed in such a manner as to represent intricate native carvings. These fine buildings were recently officially opened by the Governor-General, his Excellency Lord Bledisloe.