Massey Documents by Type

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Start date: 1940End date: 1959

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    A study of a strain of albino mice with regard to suitabilty for investigations of the role of the adrenal cortex in mammary gland growth : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in the University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1956) Munford, R E
    The experiments reported in this thesis were carried out in the hope that they might assist in the clarification of the role of the endocrine system in the regulation of mammary gland development. A large part of the work was concerned with the elucidation of the general effects of adrenal insufficiency in mice, and with the maintenance of adrenalectomised mice by the injection of cortisol acetate. It is hoped that the results obtained with these mice will be of some assistance in future studies of the endocrine control of the growth of the mammary glands in mice, where it is dersired to exclude any influence mediated by, or originating from the animal's own adrenal cortex. This study w_as prompted by Dr. D.S. Flux, to whom the author is indebted for guidance, encouragement, and patient instruction. The advice of Professor I.L. Campbell, in whose department the work was carried out, and the assistance of Mr D.J. Myers are gratefully acknowledged. The author also wishes to thank the staff of the College Library for their considerable efforts in obtaining a large number of .journals on loan from other institutions, and Mr. K.A. Rose for his work in connection with the reproduction of the illustrations. Thanks are also due to the following for gifts of material to Dr. D.S. Flux:­ Organon Ltd., England for oestrone (through the courtesy of Mr. G.B. Davis of The Dental and Medical Supply Co. Ltd.) A.M. Satterthwaite and Co. Ltd. for cortisol (through the courtesy of Mr. F.A. Hacking). [From Preface]
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    Systematics, bionomics and distribution of the plant bug Nysius huttoni White (Heteroptera : Lygaeidae) : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in the University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1958) Eyles, Alan Charles
    Nysius huttoni White, endemic to new Zealand is a member of an almost cosmopolitan genus which shows remarkable adaption throughout the world. As it is the only Nysius species so far recorded from this country, some attention to it is surely due, if for no other reason. There are, however, other valid reasons which prompted this study, ands these are as follows. Relatively little work has been carried out on N. huttoni, there being only one study (by Gurr, 1957) specifically on this insect; the immature stages have not been described; no illustrations of any of the instars either nymphal or imaginal have been published, except for one photomicrograph by Blair and Morrison (1949) of a balsam-mounted image, but it is so distorted as to be unrecognisable; the systematics of the insect has not been fully studied, for Usinger (1945) states that two species may be represented; the number of broods per year is not known, but Myers (1926) states that there is probably more than one. An attempt has been made to elucidate the subject along these lines. Further, the insect occurs in large numbers and is easily caught, which two factors contribute much to the suitability of the insect for study material. Thus N. huttoni presents ample for a general study on the bionomics of an animal [From Introduction]
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    Pasture utilization in relation to New Zealand dairy farming : a thesis presented in part fulfilment of the requirements for the Animal Husbandry section of the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1949) McArthur, Alistair Thomas Giles
    The world shortage of food is the most serious crisis which faces mankind today. It is a crisis which has no earlier precedent and one for which remedial measures will be hard to find. The problem, first mentioned by Malthus in 1798, is one of limited food resources combined with an increasing world population. The basis of food production lies in the soil mantle of the world which is limited in extent and decreases yearly both in quantity and quality through the use of bad farming practices which lead to soil erosin. The present level of human nutrition throughout the world is far from adequate. In North .America and Australasia, the average daily consumption of calories per head is above 3000 but in the Middle East it is only 2400 while in the Far East it varies between 1700 and 2100, which is well below requirements (Fawcett (1948)). Not only are these people in need of more food energy but they also require more protein, minerals and vitamins. Livestock products are, of course, rich in these 'protective' foods and the expansion of livestock production will play an important part in raising the level of nut­rition of the world's population. [From Introduction]
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    A study of milk production as it affects lamb growth in Romney and Cheviot crossbred sheep : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science of the University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1952) Roberts, Euan Maurice
    Romney and Cheviot Threequarter bred 6 year old ewes, all with twin lambs, were found to produce similar quantities of milk in a 12 week lactation. The Cheviot halfbred ewes produced less milk than either the Romney or 3/4 Cheviot ewes but the disadvantage was not thought to be of an hereitary nature. Both Cheviot groups of ewes gave significantly richer milk than the Romney group. When mated to Southdown rams the ewes of the Romney and each Cheviot breed produced lambs which made similar liveweight gains.
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    A preliminary study of some factors affecting the production of milk for supply to Auckland city : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree by "546" for the Animal Husbandry section of the Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1947) Flux, Donald Souter
    The great value of milk as a human food has been well emphasised by the fact that milk production was given, during the war years, first place in the efforts to produce food in Great Britain. Milk is valuable as a source of readily digestible protein of high biological value and because of the high content of protective elements such as Vitamin A and riboflavin. Its importance in the diet is not surpassed by any other single food. An adequate supply of milk is particularly important in urban areas, since it is here that diets are most likely to be deficient in protective foods and the need for protective elements is likely to be greater. In comparison with total milk production in New Zealand, the proportion used as whole milk and cream is small. It was estimated by Hamilton (N.Z. D.S.l.R. Bull. 89) in 1943-44 as about 4.5%. Nevertheless, in view of the value of milk in the human diet this portion is of great importance, and that importance increasing. [From Introduction]
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    Bloat in ruminants as a dysfunction of animal and pasture interaction : a consideration of the environmental and physiological factors associated with the condition, having particular reference to the grazing animal : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1951) Bathe, D. R.
    It is a simple and yet fundamental biological concept that one of the essential differences between plants and animals lies in their mode of nutrition. The plant is able to use soil nutrient and synthesize its nutritional requirements in the presence of light by the process of carbon assimilation. The animal ls entirely dependent on those synthesized plant products for its nutrition. In this very essential difference ruminants and herbage plants assume a commensal relationship, becoming increasingly interdependent as systems of pasture and animal production intensify. This relationship has become a well accepted principle in herbage agronomy as to appear almost a statement of the obvious. Nevertheless the writer submits that progress in this field during the past two decades has been concerned almost solely with the botanical aspects of plant production. The development of strains of plants for grazing conditions, with the additional benefits of an extended grazing season, and greater herbage bulk per acre, are achievements of the plant breeder which have been making an immeasurable contribution to animal production. In spite of the ultimate use of herbage plants however, studies of the interaction of animal and plant have lagged behind the advances made by the plant breeder. The animal has been used almost exclusively either as a measure of plant production in terms of liveweight increase, or as the controllable factor for the purpose of imposing particular environmental conditions upon individual plant species or communities. Bathe 1947 (1). [From Prologue]
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    The effects of defoliation and rootpruning on cocksfoot and perennial ryegrass and the influence of soil moisture on root initiation : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science in Field Husbandry, University of New Zealand
    (Massey University, 1949) Edmond, D. B.
    The world is short of food (1). The population of the world is unequally distributed in relation to the productive ability of the land. Countries, where an extension of the farmed area is possible, are handicapped by a lack of available labour. In general these are the countries where production has not, as yet, reached a maximum level. As labour hinders extension an endeavour must be made to utilise present farm areas in the most efficient manner possible, In this way surpluses of food may be accumulated in these countries, e.g. New Zealand, for despatch to needy areas where the consumption of food is at a low level. New Zealand produces animal products in quantity. To increase this quantity better use must be made of our chief stock food - grass. By more efficient use of our grasslands the production of our existing herds and flocks will be increased. while an increase in our animal population will be inevitable. [From Introduction]
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    A study of the Romney fat lamb ewe, with particular reference to milk secretion and its effect on fat lamb production : thesis submitted by "392" [Alan Graham Logan] for the M. Agr. Sc. degree at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1946) Logan, Alan Graham
    One of the distinguishing characteristics of mammals, is the dependance of the young, during early post-natal life, on nourish­ment secreted by the mammary gland of the mother. Hence milk secretion is of fundamental importance in all our farm animals with the exception of poultry. The essential attributes of milk (viz., high water content and liquid state, high digestibility, high protein content of excellent biological value, high calcium and phosphorus and the presence of most of the necessary vitamins) are specially suited to the needs of young rapidly growing animals. In dairy cattle extensive study has been made of milk­ producing ability and conscious effort made to improve this by breeding, and nutrition. Comparison of the characteristics of modern dairy cattle (highly developed milking qualities but inferior meat carcasses) and of beef cattle (early-maturing and good carcass quality but often poor milk yield) clearly indicate the extent of improvement from the wild form and the variation in productive efficiency of different types. Valuable work on the milk-producing ability of other species, and its relationship to the welfare of the young has been carried out by Bonsma and Oosthuizen (1) and Donald (7) with Sows; and Ritzman (30), Fuller and Kleinhanz (10), Neidig and Iddings (24), Bonsma (2,3), 30a, Pierce (27,28) with ewes of non-milking breeds, and by several workers with specialised milking sheep, Scheingraber (31), Muhlberg (23), Maule (17). [From Introduction]
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    A study of principles and methods of pasture improvement on New Zealand hill land, with particular reference to the effects of climate, biotic and anthropogenic influences upon the sward : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at the University of New Zealand, Massey Agricultural College
    (Massey University, 1951) Campbell, A.G.
    This dissertation deals with principles rather than with practices. When trying to enfold a vast subject within limited bounds no detailed analysis of practices can be made, for these vary from farm to farm, almost from paddock to paddook, as the aspect, climate, soil type and terrain change. However, practices are based on principles which have much wider application and a cognizance of which is fundamental to the institution of' any practice. The essential principles are those of raising fertility where necessary, of introducing species of grass and legume which can either utilise or enhance the increased fertility and themselves provide nutritious and palatable stock feed, and, finally, so to manage stock on these improved pastures that the improvement is consolidated and not dissipated. Practice, however, is not ignored, but is used rather to demonstrate some of the means by which the ideals underlying the principles may be achieved. Just as no attempt has been made to catalogue all possible practices so certain principles not strictly within the realm of plant husbandry have been omitted. The most important of these is the necessity for any farming operation to be carried out within a suitable economic context. Where the economic context is unfavourable, practices detrimental to the proper, conservative utilisation of land inevitably come into being, and the deterioration of hill swards thus brought about frequently culminates in erosion. When the economic state of the hill farming industry is favourable, however. deterioration and erosion are frequently the outcome of a failure to appreciate or put into practice the principles which are set out hereinafter. [From Introduction]
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    A preliminary economic survey of the citrus industry in New Zealand, by "Cliff" : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1943) Cliff; Hamilton, William Maxwell
    This survey was undertaken primarily because it was considered that some comprehensive survey was a necessary preliminary to any sound advancement in the citrus industry in New Zealand. Of necessity it has been subject to limitations of time and of means to collect all the data which would have been desirable; many of the data are not yet available or are of a confidential nature while many of the "facts" frequently quoted with regard to the industry are little more than assumptions - an unsafe foundation for the sound development of the industry. The survey is therefore tendered, not as the last word with respect to the aspects of the industry discussed, but rather as a partial collection of such information as is at present available, presented. in fairly logical sequence, and with some attempt to give a balanced and comprehensive, if somewhat sketchy outline of the industry in its various phases. Much information, of a detailed nature, dealing with particular phases of the industry was, of necessity, excluded in order to preserve the balance of the whole, while owing to the limitations of time and finance it has not been possible to check as carefully as would have been wished, the tables and statistical analyses. There are doubtless minor errors in computation in some of the table and some errors in the typing which have escaped detection but it is hoped that these omissions will not be regarded too critically. [From Foreword]