THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13006, 7 January 1908, Page 8

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

There was a slight drizzling rain for about half an hour at Ashburton early on, Sunday morning, and it threatened agaJn in the evening, but not sufficient fell to lay tho dust. Tho sky was overcast during tho day, end the atmosphere was cool. This would be barely worth recording but for tho fact, that every drop oi moisture just now, eitJier in the form of rain or dew. is of valuo in keeping the rape and turnip crops from drying off. There is a large area under tli«*o two forago crops, and so tar tJioy hare held out remarkably well, but they ore now badly in need of a good fall of rain. Our Ashburton correspondent states that harvest hands are reported to be scarce in many districts, and it » expected there- will be eomo littje difficulty in getting sufficient labour to harvest, tho wheat, crops as speedily as will bo desirable if tho dry weather contin UOiS Around the Pun&andcl district (wrftes our eorrospondiMit) some, good crops of wheat are to bo seen in the vicinity of the railway. Mr T. W. Johnston'has reupod a 40-acre paddock of Tuscan, which is carrying enough straw for 4o bushels. It is estimated to yield 30 bushels per acre. There ore several more good paddocks of wheat on the same farm. On Mr J. Wright's farm north of the lino. Bailock's estate, and tho farms of Messrs Walker Bros, and Mr McLachlan, there are good crops, considering tho weather. Going further north, one is rewarded by seeing some splendid crops of wheat. Keeping on the best land, such as that of Messrs James Johnston, J. Loekhead, Gemmol. Brown Bros., Cunningham, and D. Westnnra, one may say th© crops will average as good ac, if not better than, last year. Of course, very poor crops ere «<em on lighter land. Coming towards Dirnsnndel. one notes thai Messrs C. Wricht. P. LiU, P. Stevens, and H. Wright are all in for good crops, When. I say' good crape, I mean a fair average crop, in view of the season. Considering weather conditions, it is not expected to see anythinc like record yields Tho rainfall registered at Kaiapoi for the 24 hours ending 9.30 a,m. yesterday -was .05in. The cereal crops in tho Oamarti district (writes a correspondent) are still looking remarkably well, and farmers are anticipating the best season they have had for some years The Valetta and Mayfiold districts were visited by some welcome showers of rain during Sunday. The new seaeon's oats aro commencing to bo delivered m Ashburton (writes our correspondent). The Gartens are a good sample, but the Duns are not so plump, and are both light in weight and in colour. Mr James Quigtey, of Tinwald, hae just finished reaping a paddook of Tuscan wheat, which is estimated to yield close on forty bushels per acre. A Nelson telegram states that high southerly winds, coupled with dry weather are doing damage to the crops and fruit, and rain is wanted. xne hop crop is likely to bo light this year.