MASSEY COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 122, 21 February 1928, Page 6

MASSEY COLLEGE

FARM NOW A RUNNING CONCERN INSTITUTION’S FUTURE WORK PROVISION FOR PRACTICAL FARMER Palmerston North, February 20 To use the words of Professor Peren, recently appointed principal of the Massey Agricultural College, the authorities of that institution have said but little concerning it, or its develop, nient. Their reason, to quote Prfofessor Peren again, was that they considered it not worth talking until there was something worth while talking about, and that that desirable stage had now been reached was made clear by the Professor when speaking to the Palmerston North Rotary Club this afternoon.

In a brief address Professor Perren told the Rotary Club members what work the college was going to perform, and how, and concluded by describing what development had been made to date. He gave it as his opinion that the college would steadily grow until it became one of the most important educational institutions in New Zealand. Teaching and Research. In the first place, said Professor Peren, the activities of the college would be divided into two main branches of work, teaching and research, which arrangement would make more complete use of the organisation set up. The research work would tend to keep the teaching more live and up to date, for in the absence of research there was always the danger of a teaching institution getting into a lifeless rut so far as that branch was concerned.

The teaching would again be divided into courses for university degrees and so-called short courses. The former were intended primarily for men who intended to take up agricultural science as a profession—to become research workers, teachers, field instructors, technical experts with commercial firms, or agricultural journalists. They also provided valuable additions to the practical training of the man who would be farming j[pr a living, and they were recommend'*;! as such to those who could afford the necessary time. The B.Agr.Sc course normally occupied four years, and M.Agr.Sc. course an additional year. The short courses were far less involved and lengthy than the degree courses, and were designed to supply the practical man with the scientific or technical knowledge he required, but found so difficult to obtain at home. Of this latter type of course, the Professor stated, the college hoped to be in a position to offer the following during the coming winter:—A short course in"dairy farming; the diploma of associate in dairy manufactures; a herdtesting course. Each of these he briefly described. Next year it was hoped that the college would be .in a position to offer a course dealing with those subjects of particular interest to the sheep farmer. This Year’s Work. “The first term of the coming academic year,” continued Professor Peren, “will open on March 2.” Those students who last year were attending tlie Schools of Agriculture at Auckland and Victoria University Colleges will now come here to complete their courses. In addition a large number of inquiries about short courses have been received and a gratifying enrolment is anticipated. At tlie next meeting of the College Council a number of further appointments to the staff will be mcle so as to enable the various subjects to be taught this year to be given by men who have specialised in their respective branches. Pending the erection of the permanent college buildings, work would be carried on in the Batchela; homestead and in a temporary annexe put up for the purpose. Dealing with research, the speaker stated that the college had been selected by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research as the location of the Dairy Research Institute (N.Z.). This institute, under Professor Riddet, would concentrate on problems affecting the dairy industry, and, by arrangement with the college, the dairy factory,' milking sheds, and dairy cattie would be at the disposal of the research staff, thus ensuring full use of stock and equipment which were required, in any case, for instructional purposes. Several highly trained workers had already been appointed to the staff, and some preliminary work initiated. In addition to this, the teaching staff would carry out such research as their other duties allowed, and, further, it was hoped that this centre might be selected by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for other major lines of work. Development of College. “As regards our present stage of development,” continued Professor Peren, ‘‘you may remember that the Council of the College took over the Batchelar property on June 1 of last year. Little work was done before July 1, but since that date much has been accomplished. A farm staff has been engaged and stock and implements have been purchased. The main flats have been subdivided, fenced and loaded for dairying purposes. Seventy acres of heavy land have been moledrained, and seventy-five acres have been broken out of grass and cropped. A milking-shed with a special testing room attached, designed for both summer and winter milk production to meet the needs of both instruction and research has been erected. A calf pen designed for experiental feeding has been built as well as the other appurtenances of a well equipped dairy farm such as a cattle crush, loose box for sick animals, etc. The area for pigs has been laid off and a number of movable huts constructed. An artesian well has been sunk, and a very fine flow of water obtained, and this has been piped to the various cow paddocks and to the milking shed. The water will be used to supply the dairy factory and the permanent college buildings. An additional farm cottage has been built, and the existing one renovated. The sewerage system, to serve the college, the factory and the farm cottages, has been put in, and the supply of gas, necessary for laboratory work, has been laid on Work has been started on the experimental dairy factory which will be equipped to deal with problems connected with the manufacture of butter, cheese and casein. Excellent Foundation Material. “To summarise our development to stated Professor Peren, “the

farm is now a running concern, and is stocked with what should prove to be excellent foundation material for building up good herds and flocks. Tlie rate of development has been very satisfactory, ami given the same steady progress, verv considerable developments will be seen in the course of the present year. “Personally, I have sufficient confidence in the future of the college to think that it will steadily grow until it becomes one of the most important educational institutions in the country.’*