HARVEST ANTICIPATIONS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7258, 18 January 1889, Page 2

HARVEST ANTICIPATIONS.

From odb Ashbttrton Correspondent.

The gloriously fine weather that was ushered in with the dawn of the New Year has made a wonderful difference m the appearance of the crops throughout the Ashburton county, and should the hot dry nor'-westers keep off, the average yield will be considerably above that of last year. • A pretty stiff wind raged on Sunday, the 6th inst., but the general bulk of the crop was not sufficiently far advanced for it to have suffered much damage. The heat for several days was very intense, the thermometer registering 162 in the sun on Wednesday, aud as high as 167 on Friday. On Thursday it was as high as 107 in the shade, and the heat was then just about as much as a New Zealander could comfortably stand. These registerings, it may be noted, are the highest records for the past six years. The heavy rain that fell on Christmas Eve aud Christmas Day gave the ground a good soaking, so that fortunately up to the present tbore has been no lack of moisture co counterbalance the effects of the unusually high temperature. One of the first to commence harvest operations in this district was Mr Jas. Quigley,who has now ready for the threshing mill an early thirtybuahel crop of oats that have been harvested in splendid condition. The paddock, which comprises land of medium quality, and Is situated at Dromore, was sown down the first week in April, and despite the cold weather that prevailed till well on into December, the straw is three feet in length, while the oats are a nice plump, bright sample. Harvest operations have not, of course, yet commenced in a general way, but should the fine weather continue there will be a large area of oats ready for the reapers by the end of the week. Away down on the light lands through the SeaUeld district and towards Kyle both wheat and oats are short in the straw, but well headed and promising to bushel up much better than last year. Away back on both sides of the Wakanui Creek there are some magnificent crops of both wheat and oats, many of the paddocks promising yields up to 40,45, and 50 bushels. The farms of Mr Isaac Thompson, Mr John "Cochrane, Mr Peter Innes, Mr Leatham, Mr James Brown, Messrs Chalmers Brothers, Mr Malcolm Millar and several of those further down towards the seaboard, including Mr Samuel Thomas' and Mr Bobert Maxwell's, are worth travelling long distances fco see. ■ Away up on the west and northwestern ends of the railway line through the Winchmore, Lauriston, Lyndhurst, and Methven districts .'there is a very large area under crops. In some of the paddocks it is a bit patchy and light, but to take the districts generally the prospect is a very encouraging one indeed. Some particularly nice even crops of both wheat and oats are to be seen .on the Winchmore property, round about Lauriston, on Mr Max. Friedlander'e Lyndhurst farm, Mr Dent's farm and higher up on the Springfield Estate. Roundabout Winslow and the Hinds, too, grain growera have every reason to feel satisfied with present appearances. It would be almost useless, and in all probability misleading, to hazard a guess at the probable yields on the various localities, as the cereals are now just at their critical stages, and everything depends oA the kipd of weather we may be favoured with during the next fortnight or three weeks. If we get plenty of sunshine, with an occasional shower of rain and an absence of boisterous winds, and then steady open weather for the ingathering, the average for the whole county will be a highly satisfactory one; while should present prices continue to rule our farmers will enjoy the most remunerative returns for their always risky and anxious labours that they have had for many years past." There is great activity in the reaper and binder : market, and new machines are passing through and being dispatched from Ashburton daily. Deep interest i* being lelt in the promised big trial, a-nd many anxious enquiries are being made as to the time, place, and conditions of the , contest.