THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13005, 6 January 1908, Page 5

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Yesterday, in the city, was dull and cool, tho sun being overclouded all day -with the exception of a few minutes in the mornins. The highest temperature in the shade for the day was 63deg. Rain seemed to be hanging about all day. but all that fell was barely sufficient to lay tho dust, a alight shower "being experienced about 6.30 p.m. In the Ashley County tha weather of Saturday was cooler, and indications | were present of approaching rain. One or two light showers fell yesterday, which will improve th* wheat prospects and help th© growth of potatoes and 1 turnips. A? so littlo rain fell, however, it did not mend the ragged surj face of the main roads, and they re- [ mained as loose and dusty as ever. Tho weather experienced in the Ashburton district last week was excessively hot and dry, and tho pasture lauds I especially became very much parched up (writes our correspondent). Th* gardens have also been suffering badly from the lack of moisture. In many I localities the turnip and rape crop* are holding out well, though they badly need a good soaking rain. Tho i reapers and binders have been busy | amongst the oat crops, and if the hot | weather continues a lot of wheat will soon be ready for cutting. Mr William Wilson, of Mayfield, is just now harvesting some particularly good crops of oate. which will average ttilly sixty bushels per ncre. and a largo portion of one big paddock should thresh out nearly seventy bushels per acre. Thero are a number of other good crops to be seen in the same district. A start has now been made (.writes cur Timaru correspondent) with harvesting in South Canterbury, a number of oat crops on light lauds and sunny faces having been cut. The harvest is coming on much earlier than usual this year, by reason of the long spell of hot, dry weather. On the whole, the crops are good, and the yields promise to come well up to the average. It is anticipated that the first- of the new season s grain will be on the market at the end of the present month, and that th© opening prices will be 4s and 2s for wheat and tats respectively. A good fall of rain would be very welcome now throughout South Canterbury to freshen up the fast dying pastures and the growing root crops. The rainfall in Timaru during December was 1.55 inches, rain falling on .eight days. In December. 1906, .96in fell, and the average for the month during the eight Tears. 1900-7. was 2.71 inches. The total fall during 1907 was 17.47 inches, as against 17.28 inches in 1906, the average for the eight years beiDg 23.03. nnd for the six years, 1901-6, 24.92 inches. The followinc figures supplied to the "Oamaru Mail by Mr John ißeid (Elderslie) show tho rainfall in that locality for 1907:—January 0.24 in, Felyuary 1.37, March 1.51. April 0.62. May 0.61. June 0.20. July 0.69. August 4.27, September 2.34. October 1.19. November 1.59, December 2.07. Tbe total fall for the year was 16.73 inches. Should rain not come soon (says tbo ''Kaikoura Star" of Friday) the dairy factory will suffer considerably in its 'supply of milk. Ono supplier's, quantity has already gone down—at the best season, as a rule, of the year— : 4001b from last month, and ono settler states that, he has 17 cows in milk for the factory and, though ho has never been short of water before, he now has to drive the animals once or twice a day to gjve them a drink. The Totara Valley correspondent of the 'Timaru Post" writes:—'■ Harvest has conrmoncerl in this district and the early crops give every promise of a heavy yield. The wool sale, on Friday was rather disappointing, but if lamb keeps at a fair price farmers will not have much reason to complain. Rape and turnips are coming on nicely, but a good shower would bo highly beneficial." Fcatherston's harvest yield (writes the "Dominion's" Featherston correspondent.) this season will show a fall-ing-off of 50 per cent, on that of last season, due to tho long and early spell of dry weather. Tho recent rains in the Wairarapa have not ibeon of any perceptible benefit to the district. Tho whole area in the South Wairarapa is very dry, the grass is almost a golden yellow, and everything continues to 'bo sunbaked. The'milk supply at all tho factories is diminishing.