THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10268, 10 February 1899, Page 5

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

» In the North Canterbury district yesterday tbe drying cool wind served to put much of the grain which had been out in the rain in a fit and forward state to stack. It was surprising to find that, after the heavy downpour and tlio driving wind, that the grain should dry so quickly and well. Our Akaroa correspondent states that it ia >. feared that the recent south-westerly gale : : has done much damage in that district to the cocksfoot and. fruit. The weather cleared up beautifully .this - morning (write- our EUesmere corresponr dent). The wind, proved co drying that farmers were able to resume stacking operations in the afternoon. The wheat crops have received no damage whatever. Bitterly cold weather, with heavy; showers of rain, loud peals of thunder, and vivid flashes of hghtning, was experienced in Ashburton up till about eleven, o'clock on Wednesday evening. The thunder, fortunately, had the effect of clearing tho atmosphere, and yesterday the sun iHione out brightly, and harvest operation- were resumed. -•There was a keen -southerly wind, but otherwise it wa_ perfect harvest weather. Even now, with all th© rain which has fallen from time to time, the damage done to tbe grain .crop* is but trifling.. When the rain lias come the atmosphere has been cold, and strong drying winds have succeeded each downpour; (PRESS __SOCIATIO!f _K_KGX_X.f HAWERA, February 9. A violent storm occurred in the Oka-wra district last night. *The rain, hail, and lightning were the worst ever experienced. 'Hail, ~^H as targe as marbles, complotely deetroyed several standing crops, and stripped th» stmrb_i_> Io Hawera very heaiy r_m ML