REPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10023, 29 April 1898, Page 3

REPORTS FROM THE COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

! SERIOUS OUTLOOK FOR THE ! WINTER. J (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESrONTiKNTS.) The reports that have appeared from time to time concerning the effect of the unprecedentedly long spell of dry weather upon the agricultural lands of the province do not appear to have in any way been overdrawn. As we may now be considered to be on the edge of wintec, without the hoped-for break having occurred, the outlook has become a serious one, especially to owners of stock. With a viev, therefore, of obtaining the latent information concerning an approximate estimate of the late harvest and the state of the province generally, we have obtained, and now publish, reports from our correspondents in the principal agricultural districts. From these it will be seen that in most of these districts agricultural matters generally are in a bad state. Ferd is very scarce, and a great difficulty will be experienced in wintering stock. No opportunity has been given to provide a supply of winter fodder, and the absence of rain has caused a comparative failure of loot crops and winter feed. The •Hstiiets bordering on the foot hills have benefited from showers during the summer, and feed has been fairly abuudant, while the oat crops will provide a good supply of winter fodder. A large proportion of the best wheat lands of the province have suffered severely, the crops being comparatively poor and feed scarce, The work of preparing the land for the coming season's cropk has been rendered most difficult. The good prices that the three principal cereals are now bringing are encouraging* farmers to sow very largely, and the destruction of pastures by the drought will necessitate the breaking up of a very considerable area throughout the province. Ploughing is going on, but the work is naturally heavy and dilficult, though the rain of Thursday last gave some relief, especially in South Canterbury.