THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5798, 18 September 1880, Page 3

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Owing to tbe dry weather experienced during the past six weeks (says the Tapanui Courier), nearly the whole of the ground prepared for wheat crop has been sown in good order, and very little now remains to be harrowed in. The rain which fell on Tuesday was very welcome to most people, as water was running short, and the downfall was badly wanted to start the grass growing. _ The Southland News says:—" The maghifi-, cent weather prevailing of late has stimulated vegetation of all kinds. In the country districts the gras3 is rapidly recovering from its wintry aspect, while farming operations generally are in full swing. Orchards everywhere are promising well—there never was a more profuse display of blossom buds, while the peaches !•■ sheltered situations are already one macs <_i delicate flowers."

The Hyde correspondent of the Palmerston Times writes:—" We are enjoying beautiful weather, and farming operations are being vigorously pushed ahead. A good deal of grain crops have been sown, and great quantities of maiden soil is being broken.up for turnips and other root crops." ; The Dunback correspondent of the Palmerston Times writes :—"lf the winter of 18/9 : was noted for its severity, that of 1880, out of: which we have juat emerged, claims to be rogistered for its mildness. With the exception of a few frosty nights the usual accompaniments of winter have been unknown to us. Farmers have taken advantage of the favourable winter, and are well forward with the work of ploughing and sowing. The acreage under wheat.this year seems to be much greater than that under oats. A considerable quantity of last harvest's oats still remains in the stack. Apparently prices offering for this commodity are not sufficient to induce holders to thresh."

Ploughing (writes an Arrowtown correspondent) is mostly all over, and the farmers ate busily engaged in putting in their crops. The spring wheat. is looking well, some of it being from four to six inches in height; and if tbe weather keeps fine there will be splendid crops. A correspondent at Papakaio writes to the Oamaru Mail:—" Of late we have been blessed with incit enjoyable weather, it being almost equal to any experienced at midsummer. The farmers have got most of their crops in, with tbe exception of a little oats and grass, which are rapidly being sown. Wheat in this vicinity is looking very wtll, although a little rain wonld do it a great deal of good joet now. Great are the expectations of the farmers that they will have a prolific yield this forthcoming harvest, and, judging frim the present appearance of the growing crops, I believe their hopes will be realised." <