FARMERS' LOSSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 18

FARMERS' LOSSES.

HAVOC OF LATE FROSTS. FRUIT CROPS SPOILED. (Spccial.—By Air Mail.) LONDON, June 29. Freak weather conditions, frost, hail and rainstorms over Britain, have cost the country millions of pounds. Farmers, entertainment interests, seaside resorts, cricket clubs, transport companies, shopkeeprs—all are hit by the bad weather bogy. Fears are bcinr expressed that there are far heavier losses stil! to come. Severe frot-ts retarded or destroyed early crop... This has been fi -Unwed by a shortage of sunsh-ne. which alone can save the crops which are left.

Ministry of Agriculture reports just issued reveal: —Light crops of hay anticipated, and growth if meadow grass practically at a standstill Barley r io " gress retarded, winter ha: ley and wheat badly affected by the late -losls. Cattle backward through lack of good herbage. Milk yield poor through | oor pasturage. Early potatoes seriously affected. The potato crop generally expected to be lighter and inferior in quility. Fruitgrowers have been even more seriously affected. Unusually sharp frosts in the late spring killed the fruit just as it was forming. In many orchards it will not be a question merely of a poor crop. There will be no crop at all. Cricket clubs have been, particularly hard hit. Not only have many matches been washed out, but cold and unsettled weather has cut attendances by half. The Lancashire Cricket Club reports a deficit of £2000 below expectations in three matches.