Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm

1. Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm In the Beginning1874 to 1945 Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm

2. The Vision 1874 Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm • Two schools, modelled after the land grant system of the United States, are needed for Ontario. • The School of Practical Science (1873) at the University of Toronto "for instruction in mining, engineering and the mechanical and manufacturing arts“ and • The Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm at Guelph (1873) "to teach the pupils how to perform farm work in the best manner, to give them, in the class room, the scientific instruction necessary to their thorough understanding of the scientific facts and principles on which such operations are based.“ Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988),Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

3. The Mission 1874 Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm • "to teach the pupils how to perform farm work in the best manner, to give them, in the class room, the scientific instruction necessary to their thorough understanding of the scientific facts and principles on which such operations are based.” • "The principles of construction and skilful use of the different varieties of buildings, fences, drainage systems, and other permanent improvements, machinery, implements, tools and appliances necessary in agricultural and horticultural pursuits." Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

4. Achievements 1875 Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm • 1875-1888 William Brown • William Brown came to teach livestock, agriculture and arboriculture. • Named Farm Superintendent • Brown obtained an honorary “Civil Engineering” designation from the University of Toronto • Appointed Provincial Land Surveyor • Brown’s Vision • Left in 1888 for Victoria, Australia • Brown, along with Alexander McTavish taught courses we now associate with engineering today. Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

5. 1903 Achievements Department of Domestic Science, Nature Study and Manual Training Ontario Agricultural College Department of Domestic Science, Nature Study and Manual Training Ontario Agricultural College 1903-1921 Manual Training   In the fall of 1901 Sir William C. Macdonald of Montreal contributed for the establishment of Manual Training Schools. He gave $175,000 for a Department of Domestic Science, Nature Study and Manual Training at the Ontario Agricultural College, to teach public school teachers and to provide practical education for women, especially farmers' daughters.   The Macdonald Institute was completed in 1904 but classes started in January 1903.  Equipment for 20 students was set up on the first floor and basement of the Macdonald Institute. Department of Domestic Science, Nature Study and Manual Training Ontario Agricultural College John Evans , Professor of Manual Training (1902-27). He attended King's College, University of London; at Naas, Sweden, and the University of Leipzig, Germany. Department of Domestic Science, Nature Study and Manual Training Ontario Agricultural College Department of Domestic Science, Nature Study and Manual Training Ontario Agricultural College Department of Domestic Science, Nature Study and Manual Training Ontario Agricultural College Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

6. Achievements 1922 Department of Manual Trainingand Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College 1922-1927 Farm Mechanics   In 1922 Professor Evans initiated a Farm Mechanics option at OAC. The extension activity in Agricultural Engineering developed greatly through the Farm Power short courses and consultation services. These were carried on both by mail and through the District Representatives. Credit for this should be given to E.W. Kendall, particularly in the farm buildings plan service.   John Evan's department continued as Farm Mechanics and Manual Training up to his retirement. His training in European technical schools led him to insist on the educational value in the use of tools -- the importance of design, accuracy, neatness and thoroughness. Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College E.W. Kendall, Professor (1904-48) a graduate of Boston Technical School and the Chicago Automotive College. Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

7. Achievements 1905 Department of Manual Trainingand Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College • Construction of the first building for agricultural mechanics was completed and equipped in April 1905. Farm Mechanics was added as a subject. The name changed to Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics.   • In 1909 a course in Elementary Industrial Arts was given for Normal School teachers. Courses offered were:  • a) Normal Course in Manual Training (1 year) • b) Woodworking and drawing to 1st year agriculture • Metalworking and farm mechanics to 2nd year agriculture • Plain carpentry plus colour and home decorating to Macdonald Institute women. Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

8. Department of Manual Trainingand Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Energy Use in Agriculture – the Early Years Ross W. Irwin Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College Department of Manual Training and Farm Mechanics Ontario Agricultural College

9. Opportunities 1900 Did you know? Tuition was $16 per year! • 1900 courses offered by the OAC • Two year course • Work and life on the farm (Associate Diploma) • Three year course • Specialist Certificate in Agriculture or Horticulture • Four year course • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

10. Achievements 1928 • In 1928 the Department of Agricultural Engineering was created as the Department of Farm Mechanics and Manual training amalgamated with the Physics Department. • Brought about an integration and development of teaching, extension and research. • It made it possible to introduce several advanced courses in Farm Power and Machinery. Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

11. Opportunities 1930’s The depression and increased familiarity with the automobile reduced the interest in the once popular Power and Tractor Short Courses. Action was taken to establish practical farm mechanics and machinery maintenance courses. Influenced by the continuance and deepening of the depression, the value to farmers of these courses led to ever-increased attendance by farmers and their sons, to the point where over 600 applications were received for a single course. Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

12. Threats 1939 The World War II brought a significant change to the School. The entire student body was enrolled for military training in the Canadian Officer Training Corps. All other activity of the Department was transferred to the Physics Building resulting in unavoidable curtailment of its function in teaching work. Wartime shortages of farm machines and equipment led to a considerable increase in the Department's extension services. No. 4, Wireless and Air Gunner School, RCAF, of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan opened here on July 7, 1941. The entire area was surrounded by a high wire fence. It reverted back to the OAC in January 1945. Source: Irwin, R.W. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON

13. World War II 1939 • Some changes the OAC saw during WWII: • Short courses in ambulance driving took place in 1940. • On May 1, 1941 Machinery Hall was taken over, along with other buildings of OAC, as No. 4 Wireless Training School by the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. • The Mechanics Building was used for instruction. There were four different aircraft engines in the basement up to about 1960 when they were sent to the air museum at Ottawa. • With the cessation of hostilities in 1945, the buildings annexed by the Department of National Defence were turned back to the College. Source: Irwin, R.W, Jofriet, J, Ogilvie, J. (1988), Engineering at Guelph-A History, 1874 – 1987. TECHNICAL REPORT 126 – 81, School of Engineering, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, ON