UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1237, 3 July 1947, Page 6

UNIVERSITY OF NEW ZEALAND

TREMENDOUS ADVANCE Science In Farming “ The application of scientific principles to farming in New Zealand lias made possible enormous advances in prod net ion even in the last 25 years, and I do not believe we have come to the limit of our production, or anything like it,” declared Mr. 11. E. Blyde, acting-president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, in delivering (lie main address at the Massey Agricultural College graduation ceremony. Mr. Blyde said that though in (lie last quarter of a century half a million acres in New Zealand had gone out of production tlie farmer liad more than doubled his production of meat and had doubled his jiroduction of wool. In that period the number of cows had increased by not much more than 50 per cent., yet production had increased 100 per cent. To achieve that the dairyfanner had stepped up the production per cow by over 25 per cent-, but to do that he had had to have the assistance of the scientist. “ I do not believe we have anything like the peak production figures we shall ultimately reach,” continued Mr. Blyde. “ For instance, in Britain eacii of the many different bleeds of sheep and cattle have been evolved to suit conditions peculiar to different parts of England and Scotland. Though New Zealand conditions are very different we have not, with the exception of the Corriedale sheep, evolved a breed of sheep to suit a particular set of conditions in a particular part of the Dominion. The Romney sheep as we have evolved it may be an exception, hut it does seem to me that on the poorer land of the North Island hill country there is room for a different type of sheep again. Here is a job that one day the scientifically-trained farmer will tackle, and there may be a modern Bakewell in this hall at the moment who will do it. “ Animal husbandry is of course the backbone of New Zealand farming, and I think we can claim, as far as Romney sheep are concerned, that we in this Dominion have had our Bakewells. It is not generally realised that only 50 years ago the value of a sheep in New Zealand was only that of its wool. To-day the wool is a b'y-product. It was only after 1750 in England that the sheep was valued for its moat. Prior to that it was valued for its wool and for its manure. The value of the sheep’s carcase in New Zealand came with the development of refrigeration, and it may be that science will provide still more uses for animal products. “ In the time of the Romans grass seed was saved from the seed which was dropped in the hay barn. In consequence there was poor grass seed and poor hay; but to-day we select Brasses much more carefully and much more scientifically than we select the All Blacks, and I think we can claim that the grass in New Zealand is equal to or even better than anything of its kind in the world. This is the work of the scientists in general and of Messrs. Cockayne and Levy in particular.”

FARMING AS AN ART Satisfying Way Of Life That farming was both a science and an art, and gave its followers inward satisfaction which was not present in many other walks of life, was a statement by Mr. H. E. Blyde, of Taranaki, when addressing Massey Agricultural College students at their graduation ceremony. “ You have to love farming really to succeed in it, and to do the job well you have to submerge yourself in it. Not one of you will be able to observe clock hours after you have graduated. Whether you take up farming itself, Government work, or teaching, life connected with the soil is a tie; but it is a life which gives more satisfaction to men than any other. The farmers of the world from the time of the Romans down to the present day have made a great contribution to tlie welfare of the world, because farming is not merely a way of gaining a living —it is a way of life which gives a man two of the greatest attributes lie can possess—judgment and patience. He learns the inevitability of gradualness. Farming also gives a man independence of outlook and behaviour, which is a great thing for any man and for anj country. It is an occupation which gives a man time for reflection and time to observe the wondrous works of the Almighty Creator." Mr. Blyde urged the .students to make the most of their opportunities, to take an interest in public affairs and research work, and to concentrate on essentials.