THE DRY SPELL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 58, 8 March 1913, Page 5

THE DRY SPELL.

ITS EFFECT ON THE COUNTRY,

CROPS NOT IN'DANGER.

Although a much drier season than the last is being experienced, there is no actual need for alarm on account of the provincial crops. This opinion was expressed by the secretary of the Farmers' Union (Mr A. Schmitt) when seen by a representative of the "Star" this morning, and was endorsed by other close observers of farming prospects. It was pointed out that the only seasonable crop that could be affected just now was the turnip crop, and- as this had been in since about Christmas time it was well forward.

"The season is not abnormally dry," Mr Schmitt remarked. "Although city folk may imagine that it is because of the comparison with last summer, which was unsually wet. There have been a lot of refreshing showers, and some excellent dews, and these are always beneficial in the warmer weather. The real danger lies in the possibility of the dry spell lasting into the colder weather; when the ground will be less receptive of moisture."

When discussing the effect upon dairying, some farmers now in-town said that the milk supply was naturally enough falling away because of the drying grass, a consequence which was equally marked in respect of a diminution in the percentage of butterfat. However, the dairying season was becoming far spent, and a decline from the present time onward was to be expected. The said farmers appeared thankful that the dairying season had been as profitable as it had. Under the influence of the sweltering heat that has been experienced in the city during the past few days, pessimistic opinions in regard to the outlook for the province's primary industries are perhaps not unnatural. Gardens are feeling the want of moisture acutely, and it is probable tiat market gardeners will suffer more from the dry spell than, any other class of produce. Fires in dried undergrowth are frequent JHst now, both near to and fa from the the city, a fact which comes prominently under the notice of train travellers. All along the lines, both north and south of Auckland, burnt patches are to be seen, and frequently some dried scrub, gorse, or rushes are seen blazing as the trains rash past. The old saying that "it is an ill wind that blows no good" appears to apply to the flax industry at the present time. The product needs to be freed of moisture before being submitted to the scutching process, and Nature is attending well to this requirement this season.