THE MASSEY COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20075, 12 October 1928, Page 20

THE MASSEY COLLEGE.

EXPANDING RESEARCH. NITROGENOUS MANURING, EXPERIMENTAL FACTORY. Tho Massey Agricultural College at Palmerston North is rapidly passing from the "establishment" stage to that in which its research and instructional functions aro bearing the early fruits. Courses conducted during the winter session just ended were well attended and productive of satisfactory results. A total of 84. students was enrolled. Of the number nine tooK degree courses, 33 took diploma courses in dairy manufacture, 10 took the short dairy farming course and 30 tho herd-testing course. Tho attendances were larger than anticipated, and it is expected that next term thero will bo ovc. 100 students. Examination results indicate that students are gotting a good grij, of their subjects, and as soon as further accommodation is available for teaching purposes the growing work of the instructional staff will bo greatly facilitated. Dominion-wide Interest. Throughout the Manawatu and Wellington districts farmers are evincing a lively interest in f he progress and work of tho institution What is more important is the practical interest displayed by agriculturists, dairymen and graziers from all parts of the Dominion, for increasing numbers are calling at tho collego as they througn Palmerston North. In that respect the choice of tho most important railway junction in tho Dominion as the college site has proved very wise. Such was the rush ot visitors during tho last Winter Show at Palmerston North that it was found almost impossible to carry on classes, and in future it is proposed to suspend them at such times in order that those inspecting the collego may receive every attention. This spring a large area of the college farm is being top-dressed with balanced manures, .ncluding nitrogen, and further dressings ot nitrogenous manures will be given during the growing season in accordance with the latest ideas on the intensive manuring of grass lands. Using " Nitrogen " Crop.

Discussing ■ nitrogenous manuring the principal ot the college, Professor G. S. Peren, said results were most promising. Tha major problem appeared to be the management of pasture under this treatment, so that the maximum use might bo made of the large amount of herbage produced. It was anticipated that as a result of the season's work very much valuable experience in this phase of farming would be gained. Careful figures were being kept of the relation of costs to results —the economics of nitrogenous manuring would be carefully studied. Several other experiments with standard phosphatic manures were also under way and were expected to offer interesting and wiluable comparisons with the nitrogenous system. Manurial experiments at the college were carried out on a relatively large scale on a variety of soils. For instance, 45 acres are devoted to nitrogenous treatment. That is one phase of current activity. Elsewhere other work will be sketched Designs in Buildings. Experimentation is even carried to the design of yards and woolsheds, in which ideas tending to increased efficiency and 'reduced costs are being tried out. To cite a detail in point, a new foot-rot bath is located in the college woolshed. Like everything else it will be carefully and thoroughly tested, and only when an idea is proved beyond all possible doubt to bo good is it recommended to tho farmer for adoption. The large ixperimental dairy factory is now almost completed and the machinery is being installed in readiness for a working start in about a month's time. Splen didly equipped, the factory is expected to give a most valuable lead to the manufacturing side of the Dominion's dairy industry, representing, as it will do, standard, and the most up-to-date world practice, ,while at the same time trying out new ideas and adapting both new and old to any requirements peculiar to this country.