ARID AND DUSTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 11, 14 January 1935, Page 3

ARID AND DUSTY.

SUN-BAKED FARMS.

AIKATC'S LONG DROUGHT,

AIRY PRODUCTION FALLING

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. A serious position is developing in the Vaikato in consequence of the eoninued drought. In some districts ■ carcely any rain has fallen since the niddle of November, and not a green paddock is to be seen for miles. For ?ome weeks past numerous farmers have been feeding out to their stock the hay and ensilage set aside for the winter. Others have been callin™ on their reserves of swedes, although these are much smaller than usual. Although the production of butter in December was considerably lower than the return for the corresponding month in the previous year, the- position for this month is much worse. Many farmers report that the production of their herds is only a little more than a half of what it should be at this stage of the season, but they are agreeably relieved by the way in which the stock have thrived under the adverse conditions. In the Koromatua, Whatawhata and Te Kowhai districts, to the west of Hamilton, the effect of the dry spell is plainly seen. Except for "Shelter belts the whole landscape is parched to a uniform brown. Some of the undulating country in these districts is so devoid of green growth tha't at a distance land that is usually covered with luxuriant pasture is arid and dusty. The provision of an adequate water supply presents the greatest problem to many farmers. Tanks used for the household supply have run dry in some cases and water is carried from springs or water holes. Farmers who have not springs or creeks of their own have already been forced to drive their stock some distance to water.

A serious aspect that has followed the decreased milk flow i? the shortage of food for the litters of pigs which have been provided to take care of the normal yield of skim milk. As a result farmers are selling their fat pigs at the first opportunity, and there is very little demand at the saleyards for stores to replace the stock sold.

Even if the weather breaks shortly, it has now lasted so long that its effect will be felt by farmers for months to come. It seems very probable that the productive season of the dairy herds will be considerably shortened, witli a consequent decrease in the year's output.

Hamilton has sweltered in a heat wave for the past month, and the maximum temperature recorded yesterday of 9.3 degrees was a record. On eight occasions the thermometer has exceeded 90 decrees.