THE CROPS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13651, 7 February 1910, Page 4

THE CROPS.

The glowing anticipations . regarding the liarvest entertained in the second week of the New Year will not now be realised. The yields for North Canterbury are at the present moment as much below the average as the estimates ienned were above the general -\erage. Instances are to be met with where sprouting has begun in the heads of the grain, and tor this reason in some of the fields no attempts are being made to turn the stooks or change their position. * Ttei grain has been discoloured and put in a condition where ripening may take place unequally. Though the heavy jainfall has pe'rl.ap? disheartened stme of the farmers, and they are leaving matters to take their course,' many, on the other hand, are making a strenuous effort to dry on* their crops and obtain the' best results possible. The keenest interest will be taken in watching the threshing returns, and these in a few instances may be much better than is :it present considered probable. Everywhere sle-.-p owners and dairymen are satisfied with their prospects.

Our W-timate correspondent reports that on .Saturday the weather in that | district was ideal for harvest, and did much to counteract the effects of the recent damp weather experienced in all parts of the district. All farm hands were busi'v engaged at harvest work, and threshing mills commenced operalions. Although in some cas-"3 grain was injured by damp weather following very warm weather, the damage from this cause will not be so great throughout the district sis was at one time feared.

A travelling correspondent informs the -Ot.igo Daily Times" that very good samples of oats and wheat are being threshed on the Papakaio Plains and Steward Settlement. The late rains have made the turnip crops look well, and, he* says, 'every prospect pleases, and only the water-race _jid its management, and the Government, are vile."

The wenther at Govenio*-*s Bay has been very unsettled and wet for nearly three weeks, with a few fine days at the beginning of last week, when all hands were busy in picking up and threshing the cocksfoot that was out and had been lying on the ground for some time. Some of the seed is much discoloured by the soaking it received. The weather now seems to have cleared up, and it is to be hoped that the crop, both standing and cut, will be gathered in before the next rains come. Tlie plums and apricots in some gardens have been split and damaged by the wet. but not much harm has been done, as with few exceptions the settlers all have dairies. The abundant growth of grass and other feed for their cows will much more than compensate them for the loss of a few bags of grass seed and a little fruit. In the memory of the oldest residents of the Bay there never has been such a season for the growth of feed.

The wheat crops in the Wanganui district liave !>een affected by the wet weather, in a similar -tvay to the southern crops, and ore not expected to turn out a.s well as usual. Oats are reported to be suffering from the attacks of caterpillars, and though the birds are doing great slaughter among the pest-, they do not eeem able to hold them entirely in check. On the other hand, the weather has been extremely favourable for the dairy industry, the grass .showing prolific growth. 'Hie weather is favourable now for harvesting.