THE WEATHER AND COUNTRY PROSPECTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxix, Issue 7241, 29 July 1907, Page 2

THE WEATHER AND COUNTRY PROSPECTS.

The weather in Ashburton during the past week, although intensely cold, has been most) favourable from the farmer's point of view. On Thursday evening rain fell heavily and generally throughout the district for several hours, tlie rain gauge at the Domain weather s.atiori registering 27 points. A bitterly cold day, was experienced on Friday, and 2 points of rain were recorded in ihe evening. By these falls, ploughing on stubble or autumn-worked paddocks has been rendered easier and more practicable, while grass land has been penetrated to the depth of several inches. '•' Agricultural work is "therefore now progressing steadily, and large areVs'are being sown daily in wheat and oats. Owing ; to the dearth of feed, the small birds are causing much havoc to crops coming through the ground, and this, despite the fact that poisoned grain is being extensively sown by farmers'. For this time of the year stock feed is unprece-^ dently scarce, grass pastures presenting quite a desolate appearance, while the stacks of straw,: held by farmers, are quickly losing weight. In the absence of promise of an early spring, the present outlook of graziers and, farmers, generally, in this county, is not'by any means of a reassuring character. Still, the cereal crops above the ground are, making marked headway since the recent rains, and with a continuance of favourable weather, the growth in a few weeks' time should compare favourably with that of any previous average season for the period of the year. .