THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13614, 24 December 1909, Page 5

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Our Malvern correspondent writes: Hot, scorching weather continues to prevail in the Malvern district, and tho effect is very noticeable in pastares which are beginning to assume a d»y, burnt-up appearance. The length of the gra_s, however, affords a i*» ir amount oi shelter, and the growth near the soil will continue to remain green and succulent for some time yet. The continued dry weather is causing some anxiety to farmers on account ot t!u* danger of tires, and should these commence, considerable nren* of te«'d and standing crops would be destroyed. Th" lessons of three years ago have not been forgotten, and many farmers are ploughing a few furrows round their paddocks as a precautionary measure, vhich. if generally -ulopted, would 'Jo n v.eh to check an outbreak, should one occur in this district. Oats are ripening fast now, and reaping has commenced. On tho h«avy lands the growth has been so rank that the straw is still quite green, which will necessitate crops remaining in stook a much lunger period than usual. Many of the oats crops are over 0 foot high, and to enable the reapers to work it has been found necessary to cut a strip round the crops with scythes, entailing much hard work and loss of time.' Wheat continues to show improvement, the heads filling out in a most promising manner, and should the dry, hot weather continue, it will not be long oeioie this crop is being harvested. .Rape is fortunately __r,ill looking well, but tin-nips and other root crops are almost starionery, and would br* much benefited by a good fall of rain.

HEAT WAVE IN CENTRAL OTAGO

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") DUNEDIN, December 23. Abnormal neat is bein_; experienced all over Otaao. At Roxburgh on Tuesday the thermometer registered 98 degrees in the shade, and yesterday itregistered 132 degrees in the sun, while at 10.30 a.m. and G n.m. the temperature was 90 degrees in the shade. It is quite as hot to-day. In Tapanui the warmest summer weather for years is bein_: experienced. Thero has been no rain for "veeks —a- condition not to the liking of farmers. At Middlemarch on Tuesday tho thermometer registered 102 decrees in the shade. At Cromwell intense heat continues, and tho temperature in the shade registered over 100 degrees. Water is becomminc: scarce.