B.—ll

1901. NEW ZEALAND.

EDUCATION: CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. ("THE CANTERBURY COLLEGE AND CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE ACT, 1896.") [In continuation of E.-11, 1900.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Visitor. —His Excellency the Governor. Board of Governors. Appointed by His Excellency the Governor —John Rennie. Elected by members of the Legislature—George Jameson, Robert Rainey, Hon. Edward Cephas John Stevens (Chairman). Elected by governing bodies of agricultural and pastoral associations—W. F. M. Buckley, H. A. Knight, Robert Heaton Rhodes. Staff. Director. —J. Bayne, M.A., B.Sc. in Agric. Lecturer on Chemistry. —G. Gray, F.C.S. Lecturer on Natural Science. —F. W. Hilgendorf, M.A., B.Sc Lecturer on Applied Mathematics. —M. Guerin, C.E. Lecturer on Veterinary Science. —J. R. Charlton, M.R.C.V.S.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. Sic, — Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, 31st December, 1900. I have the honour to report in outline on the work done in the college and on the farm for the year ending 31st December, 1900. College. —During the year twenty-five students were enrolled. This number is the smallest attendance at the college during the seven years of my directorship. On five occasions during the previous fourteen years of the existence of the college, the number of students fell below this, and once the numbers were as few as this year. As in former years, the interests of students have been carefully seen to. The walls of the large dining-room have been painted; the smoke-room has been papered and laid with linoleum ; the studies are in first-class order; also the bedrooms. A pleasing feature is seen in the extraordinary care manifested by students in making their studies abodes of comfort and beauty. This they do at their own expense, and I consider it as an index of the esprit de corps they cherish regarding the college. The year's work has with very few exceptions been most satisfactory, as is instanced by the reports of examiners, in nearly all the subjects of instruction. Scholarships were awarded to two first-year students, and to two second-year students. Eour prizes were given for scientific work, and four for practical farm-work. No change has occurred in the teaching staff; the lecturers, Messrs. Gray, F.C.S., Guerin, C.E., Hilgendorf, M.A., B.Sc, and Charlton, M.8.C.V.5., being respectively in charge of the chemical, natural science, mathematical, and veterinary science departments. Farm. —The farm is in satisfactory order. As in former years, great care has been taken to prevent the growth and seeding of weeds. The gorse fences continue to improve, and in a year or so, should the improvement continue, will, with judicious attention, again be restored. The cereal crops were good, and yielded satisfactorily. The yield of beans and peas was comparatively small. The linseed crop yielded about 40 bushels per acre. The cereals for the year 1901 look well, but, owing to the comparatively wet season, will, excepting oats, yield unsatisfactorily. The year's hay crop was first-class and yielded heavily. Of the root crops, mangels, carrots, and beet were fair. Turnips were not a satisfactory crop. The potato crop, consisting of thirty-nine different kinds, was fairly satisfactory. The rape crop is good. Numerous and important experiments in connection with the above crops were carried out. These experiments have all appeared in the Canterbury papers, and will now be circulated throughout the colony in pamphlet form. Over one hundred experiments are under way this year. An experiment to test which is the best ram to use on the Lincoln-merino ewe in order to secure