Welsh Journals

WALES AT WORK THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTH WALES UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AND ITS WORK When the history of Agricultural Education in the Principality comes to be written North Wales will demand a position of honour in it, for its University College was the pioneer in this important movement, its first course of lectures in Agriculture having been delivered by Dr. Dobbie as far back as 1885. A fact of further interest is that this enterprise was inspired by Mon, Mam Cymru," for the lectures were delivered at the request of the farmers and landowners of Anglesey, who formed a committee to make the arrangements in connection with the course, and to provide for the expenses connected therewith. Gradually the scheme of work was elaborated under which the Department of Agriculture has laboured with increasing success and efficiency during the last twenty-four years. Briefly summarised, the work of this period consisted of in-college courses, and out- college work. Of the former there are now three- the B.Sc. course requiring three years study; the Diploma course which occupies two years, and a short course of eleven weeks for Farmers' sons who are only able to leave the farms for short periods during the winter season." Most of those trained in College became farmers, many others occupy important positions in this country and in the Colonies, some as land agents and inspectors; others as teachers and lecturers, or heads of agricultural institutions. The out-college work consisted in giving extension lectures in various agricultural topics chiefly in Welsh. Of these, an average of 104 have been delivered every year, to audiences averaging 40. This year 130 such lectures have been arranged. Field experiments, dealing chiefly with manuring, selection of seeds, and the spraying of charlock and potatoes have been carried out at more than 900 centres. In addition, much important work has been done in dairying. This extra-collegiate work has been productive of much good; most of the old prejudice against scientific agriculture has now disappeared among the more enterprising farmers the practice of manuring has been completely revolutionised, and, in many other directions agriculture derives direct benefit from the educational activities of the College. In spite of all that has been done, the fact remains that the cause of agricultural education in Wales has suffered grievously from lack of funds. The dis- parity between the resources of the Principality on the one hand, and those of Ireland and Scotland on the other. is almost grotesque. Agriculture is in reality an assemblage of many divers sciences. In other centres the colleges are able to command staffs of highly trained specialists. In the United States a single subject-agricultural botany for example; — is sub-divided into many branches, each with its expert investigators. In Wales, most of the agricul- tural lecturers, the external lecturers in particular, have had to be veritable encyclopaedias of informa- tion. They might be called upon to address the farmers on subjects ranging from crops and fertilisers, through hygiene, poultry-keeping and horticulture, to agricultural economics, including co-operation. As for the highest work of an agricultural college- that of scientific research and the investigation of local problems, the conditions in the past have manifestly been such as to make it impossible to do anything that demanded time or the use of elaborate appliances. This state of things has to some extent been already remedied, and it is expected that this change is only the beginning of an important extension of the usefulness of the College to the agriculture interests in its province. Last year two Advisers were appointed, one in agricultural chemistry, the other in Agricultural Botany. They will devote them- selves to the investigation of special problems affecting agriculture, and the giving of scientific advice to farmers and others, who may refer to them problems for solution. These appointments have been made possible by a special grant made by the Board of Agriculture out of a sum from the Develop- ment Fund, which has been placed at the disposal of the Board, for this particular purpose." A further grant of il,100 was made in order to convert the spacious building formerly occupied by the Day Training Department into chemical and botanical laboratories. This work has now been completed, and the rooms are equipped with up-to- date apparatus for scientific research. Joint surveys of the soils and vegetation of the counties in the College area have been undertaken-those of Anglesey and Flintshire are already far advanced. Seed testing is also carried on and, for the first time. a farmer can have his farm-seeds tested as to purity and germination, free of charge. The laboratories are also fully equipped for bacteriological research, and some interesting results have already been obtained in this department of work. A few weeks ago an additional Adviser "the Live Stock Officer was appointed. He will give expert advice respecting the breeding and rearing of farm animals.