Landmarks in Agricultural, Biological and Land-Based Studies at Aberystwyth

Landmarks in agricultural, biological and land-based studies at Aberystwyth Russell Davies I n t r o d u c t i o n Institutions and individuals in Aberystwyth have made significant and substantial contributions to the development of agricultural, land -based and biological sciences. Indeed, Aberystwyth rapidly acquired an international reputation for the high quality of its research and teaching in these scientific areas from its inception . The empirical and theoretical work has always been underpinned by a firm foundation of practical work. The remarkable men and women who established Aberystwyth’s excellence in so many areas were never afraid to soil their hands in the application of principles into practice. Co-operation and collaboration have also been The original College Building - uncompleted, and before the fire of 1885. notable features. The willingness of progressive farmers to allow generations of students onto their farms and to provide land for experiments has been a crucial factor in the work of several biological and the land -based sciences. That task has already been ably undertaken by the late Dr E. L. Ellis, the late Gwilym Evans and Professor Richard Moore Colyer . ( E. L. Ellis . The history of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth 1872- 1972. Cardiff, University of Wales Press (1972); Richard J. Colyer . Man’s proper study: a history of agricultural education in Aberystwyth 1878-1978. Llandysul Gomer Press, (1982); Gwilym Evans . Pioneers of Gogerddan . Published by the author (1987) . 1872 The University College of Wales, with 26 students and 7 members of staff, opens in a bankrupt hotel on the seafront in Aberystwyth. 1870s Professor Henry Tanner of the Royal Agricultural College and Harry Parnall, Vice President of the University, seek to establish agriculture as a subject on the curriculum. Parnall financed and Tanner delivered a series of lectures on‘The Principles of Agriculture’ which were subsequently published in both English and Welsh. These initiatives were curtailed by the economic difficulties of the ‘Great Depression’. departments over many years. Similarly, many scientists have 1874 collaborated on experimental research irrespective of administrative L. Lyell is appointed to the staff of the University with a ‘range of boundaries. This timeline delineates only a few of the main teaching which would have daunted even the most confident’. landmarks and characters of the story. It does not purport to be a Lyell teaches classes in Chemistry, Physics and Zoology, Botany, full history of Aberystwyth’s contribution to the agricultural, Physical Geography and Geology. 43 1897-8 Aberystwyth becomes a constituent part of the University of Wales and the degree of B .Sc . is established. 1898 The Agricultural Society is established, under the presidency of Principal T. F. Roberts, to promote the study and development of agriculture in the University. It is to play an important role, not only within the University, but also in the agricultural development of Wales. 1904 The first University farm is acquired at Tanygraig, a holding of some 180 acres to the south of the Ystwyth Valley. 1906 Sir C. Bryner Jones is appointed as Professor of Agriculture. Jones becomes a figure of immense influence in the agricultural development of Wales, particularly following his appointment as Agricultural Commissioner for Wales. He is involved in the development of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, the establishment of the Welsh Plant Breeding Station, the Welsh Journal of Agriculture and the University’s Department of Agricultural Economics. 1911 An Advisory Service for farmers is established. Amongst the first appointees are R. G. Stapledon (Advisor in Agricultural Botany), T. W. Fagan (Advisor in Agricultural Chemistry) and D. D. Williams (Livestock Officer) – three figures of immense influence in the life of Wales in the inter-war years. 1890s Three instructors in Dairying are appointed to establish travelling dairy schools to provide local training in butter and cheese making. Instruction in dairying becomes a prominent feature of agricultural training at Aberystwyth. 1891 The Department of Agriculture opens under the direction of Thomas Parry. Practical instruction in farming methods through extra-mural classes is a major feature of the Department, as are Short Tan y Graig Farm, 1910. Courses and Advanced Short Courses. 44 1919 -1939 ‘The golden years’ of agricultural education in Aberystwyth. 1919 Sir Lawrence Phillips provides the University with a capital grant of £10,000 and annual subventions of £1,000 to establish the Welsh Plant Breeding Station. New laboratories are equipped in the Agricultural Buildings and a ‘field laboratory’ purchased at Frongoch Farm. 1919 Sir R. G. Stapledon is appointed Professor of Agricultural Botany and the first Director of the Welsh Plant Breeding Station. A graduate of Clover crossing at Frongoch, late 1930s. Cambridge, Stapledon had worked in the production department of the Agricultural Board in the First World War. In the 1920s and 30s, under his inspirational leadership, the Welsh Plant Breeding Station 1918 pioneers the study of the botany and ecology of the Gramineae, R. D. Laurie succeeds H. F. Fleure as Head of the Department of the development of a broad variety of grasses and clovers, and Zoology. Through the generosity of the Honourable Samuel Vestey acquires an international reputation in the science and technology a new chair in Zoology is established and Laurie is appointed of grassland and upland improvement. In 1938, Aberystwyth’s pre- Professor in 1922. In an age of financial stringencies, Laurie proves to eminence as the centre for land -based research is confirmed when be an inspirational leader. Unable to persuade the University it hosts the International Grassland Conference . 1921 The Parliamentary Secretary of the UK Department of Agriculture finally opens the UCW Agricultural Department buildings in Alexandra Road. The Department of Agricultural Chemistry is established with the ‘mercurial’ T. W. Fagan serving as Head of Department. Amongst the areas of research conducted by the department is pioneering work which proves the superiority in nutritional content of the leaf Frongoch Farm. authorities to fund a building for the fledgling Zoology Department, Laurie together with his staff and students build their own. Laurie was also active in improving the working conditions of Britain’s university staff. He was the founder, the first President and Honorary Secretary of the Association of University Teachers. The laboratory. 45 1930 Dr Lily Newton is appointed as Professor of Botany. Under her leadership, the department expands and establishes a considerable Welsh Plant reputation for the excellence of its research and teaching. Later, in Breeding Station Staff in the late 1952, Professor Newton becomes Acting-Principal of the University. 1920s. 1934 Four year degree courses are available in Agriculture, Agricultural Botany, Chemistry with Agricultural Chemistry, Zoology with over the stem, the Agricultural Zoology and Economics with Agricultural Economics. necessity for frequent Diplomas are also available , the most popular, particularly with defoliation to produce high farmers ’daughters, being the Dairy Diploma. pasture output and the chemical characteristics of various plants. The Department serves as an Advisory Centre for Mid - and South Wales, providing practical advice to farmers on soils, manure and fertilisers. 1924 A.W. Ashby is appointed as Advisor and Lecturer in Agricultural Economics. In 1929, Ashby is appointed to the first chair in Agricultural Economics in Britain. The Department of Agricultural Economics provides advisory services for farmers which prove vital in this period of severe and prolonged depression. The Dairy Building opens in Llanbadarn Road, 1937. October 1939 The Agricultural Research Building opens on Penglais Hill to house the Welsh Plant Breeding Station, the Imperial Bureau of Plant Genetics and the Department of Agricultural Economics. 1939-45 Many members of staff of the Agricultural Departments and the Frongoch sheds. Here in the 1920s and 1930s, thanks to grants from Welsh Plant Breeding Station ,including D. W. Davies, E. T. Jones, Trevor the Empire Marketing Board, many of the grasses that have Thomas, Moses Griffith, W. Ellison, T. J. Jenkin and Iorwerth Jones ,are transformed the world’s grasslands were developed – S.23 Ryegrass, seconded to the service of the War Agricultural Committees. The S.48 Timothy, the cocksfoot varieties S.37 and S.143, and the clover work of the Departments is wholly restructured to support the S.100 and S.123. Food Production Campaign. The efforts of the government to increase the productivity of Britain’s land are achieved through the genius of Sir R. G. Stapledon and colleagues. Sir Reginald Dorman 46 Smith, Minister of Agriculture from 1937, research in Birmingham. His achievements in the study of would later claim that without the cytogenetics receive international recognition and election to a achievements of Stapledon, Britain Fellowship of the Royal Society in 1976. would have starved and could not have been capable of mounting 1958 any military challenge. P. T. Thomas is appointed Professor of Agricultural Botany at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and Director of the Welsh Plant Breeding Station. During his time at WPBS, he integrates 1940 science disciplines and increases the focus on plant breeding. He T. W. Stephenson succeeds R. D. serves

Load more