THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8714, 9 February 1894, Page 3

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Lathe North Canterbury district the ■weather, since Sa»da.y baa been moet favourable for harvest. Wheat harvest h*a become general, and the crops are in' good conditiou. ' "Our correspondent has seen one good return of oats, which threshed out 70 bushels per acre. Iα the Temuka district the weather has been gloriously fine throughout the week, and a very large area of crop has been secured. The town3hip3 are quite deserted, and there is if any thing a temporary scarcity of good harvest hands. Several of the mills are out and some little threshing done from stook. Mr T. Talbot threshed 55 bushels per acre of dun oats. His crop always looked promising, but failed a-little at the last. The" lighter land at Seadowu has agreeably surprised some of the owners. Mr C. kanuifin's crop of oats threshed close [on 60 bushels. Last year there was less ! than 20 bnshels per acre off similar jrround: iMr Falvy, his neighbour, was fortunate with Canadian oats. Several other lots been put through, and the average cf oats seems satisfactory. Wheat crops do not promise so well, and farmers are cutliog down their estimates of average yields considerably. Th , * machine owners are adhering to their own prices for threshing wages and find little difficulty in manning the combines. On light lands the potatoes promise a good yield, but early sorts have started a secoud growth. On the heavier and swampy grounds it is stated that potatoes are rotting. The bulk of the hay crop has been badly saved and a good deal was lost.