Dr. Melville Cumming

Nova Scotia

Dr. Melville Cumming, one of the leading authorities in scientific agriculture in Canada, gathered many honours during his lifetime, but in no region was his ability more widely recognized, his counsel more avidly sought, and his competence as an educator more readily accepted than his own native Nova Scotia where he chose to labour so long and so assiduously in the interests of those who till the soil and make their living from the land.

A native of Pictou County, Dr. Cumming served the industry of agriculture well in a wide variety of positions which, amongst others, included his appointment as Principal Number One of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College - a position he was destined to fill with distinction for 22 years - as Secretary of Agriculture for the Province of Nova Scotia, and as Director of Marketing.

In no position held by Dr. Cumming was his influence more marked than during the years of his principalship, with his students - aided, encouraged and inspired by his leadership going on to become recognized as some of the leading farmers of Atlantic Canada, and others to fill some of the most important and influential positions in scientific agriculture in Canada, in the United States, and elsewhere.

As a teacher, humanitarian, a public speaker, and agricultural scientist, Dr. Cumming had few peers and fewer equals. Truly, he was a man of vision and of wide perspective, who was not without honour in his own country.