PROGRESS REPORTED AT MASSEY COLLEGE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6814, 18 January 1929, Page 2

PROGRESS REPORTED AT MASSEY COLLEGE

Council Meets At a meeting of the Council o£ Massey Agricultural College on Wednesday Sir George Fowlds presided, and others present were Sir James Wilson, Messrs A. Morton, P. Levi, T. U. Wells, H. B. Stuckey, N. Francis and the principal, Professor Peren. Leave of absence was granted Professor Hunter. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in Sir Gcorgo Fowlds again being returned as chairman, and Mr. P. Levi as treasurer. The finance committee was re-elected. Donations of volumes for the college library were accepted with thanks frOm Mr. A. J. Entrican and Dr. Hughes, of Auckland. Substantial progress had been made with improvements to the McHardy property, and the reading scheme was practically complete, reported the principal, Professor Peien. A contract had been lot for the extension of the sewer system, while the gas mains had been extended to the laboratory, where a supply was vitally necessary. The scheme for the water supply from the artesian bore at the factory was well in hand.

The farm manager reported that the weather had been favourable to the growth of pastures and other fod'der crops, which were doing very well. Stock was in good condition. Dairy pasture manurial experiments were being continued according to the scheme embarked upon, and were showing very satisfactory results at the present stage. Four acres of mangolds and a further acre of mixed varieties of the same root crop had been sown as c. test to their susceptibility to the ravages of heart-rot. Feeding experiments were still being pursued with the pigs, and the dairy herd was yielding very well. A wooden silo, fourteen feet by eighteen feet had been erected, and was proving very satisfactory. _ Subsequent to the council meeting members inspected the farm property, buildings and the former McHardy .estate.

Authority was given for the sub-di-vision of the Pahiatua Road block into 15 to 20 acre paddocks required for the accommodation of small flocks of sheep in connection with wool research. The principal, Professor G. S. Peren, reported that Dr. Dry and Mr. 15. L. C. Serivener had made considerable progress in the proposed scheme for research in wool. An additional temporary laboratory has been fitted up for soil chemistry, and this will bo used practically entirely for the analysis of soils as a branch of wool research. During the last few weeks tho staff has been busily engaged in visiting the farms of various stud Romney breeders in the district, inspecting tho flocks, taking samples of the soil, re-, cords of tho pastures, and obtaining general information which will be useful in wool research, in order to accumulate data before laboratory investigations begin. In view of the appointment to Massey College of Dr. Dry w r ho has been engaged in wool research work under Professor Barker, of L'eeds (England), it is considered the college will bo in a position to render very effective assistance to pastoralists of the college, will be in a positivo to render very effective assistance to pastoralists of Kew Zealand. Representatives of the college, including the principal (Professor Peren) proceeded to Wellington after the last council meeting At the request of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, to discuss the organisation of wool research in New Zealand with other interested bodies. It is anticipated that in about six weeks tho substantial now administrative block on tho former McHardy estate will be available for use by tho College, and when ready for occupation, will probably be used for lecturo purposes, pending the erection of a new college. Tho principal house, it wes stated, was also in an advanced stage of construction. Both thp buildings occupy commanding positions on the bluff over-looking the college farm property. The Principal, Professor G. S. Peren, reported that the new dairy factory had been completed, and cheese was now being manufactured. The grounds surrounding the building had also been laid out.