Vermilion School of Agriculture - Yearbook (Vermilion, Alberta Canada)

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Moth ers ' Week T JL he summer of 1930 saw a new departure at the Olds and Vermilion Schools of Agriculture when about forty ladies from farms in the vicinity of the respective institutions were given the opportunity of going back to school for a one-week period. The experiment was familiarly known as Mothers’ Week and was given by the Department of Agriculture “by request.’’ Farm women were invited to attend the classes and to make use of the excellent dormitory facilities for the joint purposes of rest and recreation. From the point of view of the Schools Mothers’ Week was decidedly successful, from that of rhe “Mothers . . . but we will let one of them give her impressions in her own words . . . “How many. I wonder, as the days lengthen, the sun shines and the spring is in the air. look back to that wonderful week they spent last year at V.S.A.? A week of some rest and much happiness; they will think of those sunny bedrooms, looking out on grassy lawns, green trees and gay flowers, the delicious meals they did not see before they sat down to the tables, the sitting rooms with their cosy arm chairs, and. above all the kind¬ ness of the whole staff and the excellent lectures they attended. Some enjoyed one and some another, according to their particular tastes, but those on beautifying the home, both inside and out stand out as being the most enthusiastic, especially Mr. Elliott s on the home gardens and surroundings. Miss Shaw’s lessons on sewing and textiles; that cook¬ ing demonstration, when we ate all the good things we made . . . Then the tour of the farm plots and the gardens with Mr. Elliott and Mr. Whitbread. But, oh! the mosquitos. They drove us inside against our wishes. “Dairying, poultry, bees, we got points on how to manage these de¬ partments to the best advantage and profit. All would have enjoyed longer talks from Miss Storey, but realized that she was busy, planning for our comfort and could not give us more time in classes. Then the climax when we had two hours the last night to ourselves and danced like young things, forgot we were growing old, forgot dish¬ washing, mending, cleaning and had a regular frolic. Some day we may meet there again, if that cannot be, at least we shall have memories. ] Page eighteen [

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Above: Wilfred Williams, winner of the Hon. Chas. Stewart Trophy for the best exhibit of hand picked cereal. Below: First V.S.A. Seed Fair. The V.S.A. A1 umm Association W e are taught that our mission in life is not merely to acquire money, however, useful that may be, but to be good citizens, capable of understanding our social pro¬ blems and willing to assume social responsibilities with our fellow citizens. 1 hat is one of the reasons why I would encourage students to join the Alumni Association. One of its objects is to keep alive the friendships of student days, the happy memories of, and pride in the V.S.A. an institution of which we all form a part. The Alumni, through the “Radio,” offers opportunity for the literary talented to convey their ideas, news, or poetry that will be of interest to their fellow members. The library with its many shelves opens up an avenue to the willing giver. The Ex¬ perimental Union and Seed Fair, still in their infancy, offer plenty of scope for the energetic, studious members with a desire for knowledge and a willingness to work. In pastures so rich, Mr. Editor, I must do as they do with the cows in Denmark, tether myself, using the remainder of my space for a brief greeting to the students of 1930-31. “Already the slim crocus stirs the snow, and soon yon blanched fields v ill bloom again. ' ' With the conclusion of another term at V.S.A. you as students of a great industry, “Agriculture,” will fully appreciate the significance of the signs of spring, having in mind the opportunity to be back on the farm better equipped for your various duties. April the first will mark for a number of you, the end of your educational journey at V.S.A. On behalf of the Alumni Association may I wish you every success and trust that the knowledge you have acquired from lectures and practical training will be profitable to you. During your sojourn at V.S.A. you have formed associations with your Instructors and your fellow students that will be a source of pleasure for many years. The Alumni Association’s Summer Re-union offers you an opportunity to renew those friendships, talk over old times at the V.S.A. and to join in the various activities sponsored by the Alumni. A cordial invitation is extended to you all to join and help in the building up of the Alumni. We hope that you will take it. W. ROSS, President. The First V.S.A. Seed Fair T JL he success of the Seed Fair held on January 10th, 1931, was most encouraging to the Alumni Executive and there is every possibility of being able to continue, if the support in subsequent years grows stronger. The greatest encouragement came by way of entries made by the students now in attendance. Cut of 52 entrants 30 were from students. The total value of prize monies paid was $138.00 of which $47.00 was the value of special prizes from outside sources. We expect that there will be a larger prize list another year, more classes, and more prize money. We hope to have competitors of 1931 com¬ peting at our next Seed Fair, and as many more from the new student body; then we shall continue to believe that the efforts ol the Alumni Association in this direction are proving worthwhile. B. J. W., Sec.-Treas., Alumni Association. [ Page seventeen ]

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The Farm By the Farmer himself T JL o attempt to write of the future of Agriculture in Alberta,—to pose The truth of the matter is that most of us farmers have suffered in as one of these latter day (minor) prophets,— is a clear case of “fools rush in where angels fear to tread.’’ However, we find, today, so many wonderful experts from every class of life handing out with a lavish hand all the secrets of agricultural success, that the poor old farmer can hardly be blamed for an occasional effort to usurp the platform, and venture a few of his own modest opinions. Not being overburdened with grain hauling this winter, the weather being open and the stock looking after themselves pretty well, this aspiring hayseed has had time to read the newspapers a little more thoroughly, and try to summarize the high lights of all this invaluable advice which has been showered on him by such Agricultural Authorities as the lead¬ ing Bankers, Politicians, and Railway Bosses. With regard to the vexed wheat question, it looks as if an open ballot would be about the best thing. It would let a poor old farmer decide whether he should put in the same acreage, a bit more to cut production costs per acre to compensate for the drop in price and to provide against this dry year some prophets are promising, or attempt to reduce the world’s wheat surplus by putting the forty-acre home field into green feed instead of wheat, thus cutting down (to an appreciable extent), the acreage seeded to wheat in our fair and sunny Province. Whatever is done is going to hurt somebody’s feelings, that’s the hard part for a poor farmer, sensitive for skins of his kindly advisors: Too bad! isn’t it? They are telling us nowadays, as a discovery recently come on after profound thinking, in the Research Bureau of the University of Fireside Theorists, that we must spread out more, must go in for diversified or mixed farming. One philanthropist has even promised to get us a con¬ siderable sum of money as a loan (interest not yet stated), to buy our neighbour’s cows and sows, his ewes and his steers. This is going to solve many ills—neighbour Jones gets a good price for his cows, and pays his grocery bill and maybe a slice to carry the implement agent along. Later on perhaps the wholesalers and the Banks will get their fingers on “bossy’s” purchase price, and eventually the money drifts round back to the original raisers of the loan, thus completing the magic circle. The fact that old Smith who borrowed the money in the first place to buy Jones’ cow, still owes the original amount, plus a bit of interest, is no serious deterrent to the kind hearted gentlemen who thought out the scheme, and nobly provided the wherewithal. To return to our muttons, or rather to Smith’s new cow, the fact that she is now in Smith’s possession instead of Jones’ means that—if we understand the written word correctly—in some mysterious way the live stock population of the country side is going to undergo a quick increase, thus solving the undesirable fact that at present we do not possess enough live stock as a whole. Probably in Smith’s hands “bossy is going to raise twins, though we understand that he had not much experience in Animal Husbandry before. However, eventually there will undoubtedly be more hogs and steers and butterfat to sell, which will keep the wheels greased and turning, whether there is any money for Mr. Farmer or not. This hayseed has “had some’’ already, and though an optimist by profession and of necessity, as witness his calling, he can hardly be blamed if he looks the latest gift horse in the mouth. True, the old nag’s teeth have been filed down a bit by a lower interest rate, and his hocks have been carefully treated for the bog spavin which made him pretty stiff and unwieldy in the old days, but he’s still the gift horse. the past,-—partly our own fault—from too free credit, and an ostrich¬ like ignoring of the future. We’ve treated our faims as temporary abid¬ ing places, factories for producing money quickly through selling the fruits of the soil: our intention has too often been to collect a “stake,” unload on a “sucker,” and “pull out” for the California or Florida of our dreams. It is a hard thing for those cau ght in the pinch to realize, but perhaps this so called depression is the best thing that could have happened to us and to Western Canada. If the result of the times is that we start from a solid foundation, create real permanent homes to be lived in, live on part of last year’s income rather than the inccme of a year ahead, and realize to the full that we possess neighbours, good-hearted folk ready to share with us the joy and problem of living together in com¬ panionable manner,—then indeed will this fair Canada of ours achieve to the full her glorious destiny, a Nation of united happy people, admired and respected by the rest of the world. The foundation of this lies in the farm homes of our land, and the outcome rests on you, her Youth. Yours is the future; grasp it and be strong! Fischer (in Field Husbandry Class)—‘‘Say, Don, give me my pen.” Don—“Oh, dry up.” Fischer (with vigour)—‘‘Nobody can tell me to dry up, and get away with it.” Mr. Whitbread—‘‘Fischer, DRY UP.” Fischer (meekly)—‘‘Yes, sir. Sidney Mitchell on his return home at Christmas was asked if the instructors at V.S.A. like him. His reply was, ‘Well, they do not seem to get enough of me during class hours so they keep me in after school.” h= h= Miss Shaw—‘‘ Betty, don’t you know when the morning class starts? ” Betty—‘‘No, you are always started when I get there. He Ian H. ‘‘What did you think of my lamb at the Royal, Mr. Elliott?” Mr. Elliott ‘‘Fine, laddie, fine.” Ian H. (reflectively)—“Where have I heard that word before?” Hammie (coming into room 94 with a coat across his shoulder)— “Ogston, have you seen a coat hanger looking for me? ” He Definition Teacher—“What is a Farm?” Student “A piece of land entirely covered by mortgages. He H= He Bob M. “Say, Gunda, I just cracked my head on the door.’’ Gunda—“H m, that’s once you cracked a joke.” [ Page nineteen ]