MASSEY COLLEGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 217, 13 August 1937, Page 8

MASSEY COLLEGE

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.

The Massey College Council met yesterday, there being present Professbr T. A. Hunter (chairman), Messrs P. Levi, A. Morton, H. B. Stuckey, O. Monrad, A. E. Mansford, R. A. Candy, Norton Francis, G. Grey Campbell, T. U. AVells, Professor G. S. Peren (principal) and Professor AV. Riddet. Leave of absence was granted Mr L. H. Collinsoii.

Professor Riddet was elected the college’s representative on the AVellington District Pig Council. Reference was made to the service Mr AV. J. Allen had given the college as stud shepherd, a position he recently relinquished, and it was decided to forward him a letter expressing appreciation of his services at the college and wishing him success in his new sphere of activity in Die Feilding district. Thanks to the spring-like weather of the last three weeks the position on the farms would seem to he quite satisfactory, Professor Peren reported. Prior to this spell of good weather they were, however, becoming very worried; a fortnight of cold, dry easterly winds kept the grass at an absolute standstill and threatened a serious shortage. These winds, however, did one good service—they dried the country up. As there had been comparatively little rain since, there was very little water in the ground and the latter should warm up early. For some reason the college hoggets had come through the winter in wonderful condition, wdiereas many stud breders in this district had had heavy losses owing to the wet weather of the autumn and early winter. AATiy the college had escaped the trouble it was very hard to say, as this had been one of the worst seasons for hoggets for many years. The Romney ram iioggets had already been shorn and came out of the wool in excellent condition. The ewes were looking well and showing up. Lambing was to begin at the end of the second week in August. The yearling hulls and heifers had also done well, especially the latter. Tho dry cattle had wintered well and the milking cows had milked satisfactorily, the report continued. The health of the herd had been good. At the present time there were 63 cows in milk, 25 of which had come into profit since June 8- AVith the advent of early spring the number of cows in milk was increasing daily. There were 18 heifer calves being reared. Tho production of milk for May and June was as follows May: 68.7 cows, 17781 b fat (1936, 67 cows, 1538 lb fat). June: 55.8 cows, 15111 b fat (1936, 52 cows, 12531 b fat). The herd testing returns for June and July were: June, 51 cows, 29.37 average; July, 40 cows, 33.07 average.