JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13613, 23 December 1909, Page 5

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Harvest operations amongst the oats crops in the Ashburton district are now becoming pTetty general, and the reapera and binders are kqpt going from early morning till iate in the evening. The yields on some of the light knds wi" u°t be , *> !*•*£ f.t one time they promised to be, but the better-class land* will give big returns. The grass pastures are drying off down on the plains, and a day's ram would £ welcLe just now, aiter the few scorching hot days which have been-ex-perienced.

Tuesc'ay and yesterday were two exthe Methven district. Grass paddocks are beginning to assume a dry and parched .appearance, and the entire country needs a day's good heavy rain. Farmers who ere milking cows- are complaining that the supply of milk is daily cecreasing.

Tuesday was the hottest day experienced this summer in Temuka. Farmers are busy haymaking throughout the district, and the exceptional spell of fine weather is bringing the harvest on rapidly.

The weather at Waimate during the last six weeks has been warm and dry. Until two weeks ago vegetation was luxuriant, but during the last .two weeks the conditions have been too dry. Growth has been cheeked', and grass js gettmg brown and dry., Later-sown cereals are prematurely shooting into ear, especially late sown oats in drysoils and on hill sides, but, with this exception, all cereals are promising well. Potatoes are looking well, though there are some rumours of blight of some kind, which, however, is not considered to be serious. Turnip seed sown three weeks ago is not yet showing above the ground, the dry spell being responsible for this. Some turni.T» seed sown before the, dry spell set in is coming on pretty well.