JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14289, 27 February 1912, Page 3

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

On Wednesday last, on Mr E. H. Clark's farm, Woodbury road,Temuka, Mr Ned I>an threshed from the stook 1150 bushels of oats in six hours. The crop was 15 acres of Dun oats, and yielded an avcrago of 76 2-3 bushels to the acre. The weather still continues chanceable and showery in the Temuka district, and farmers are getting their crops in in piecemeal. Rust is beginning to appear in the wheat crops in some parts of the district, and it looks as'though a great many promising crops will be ruined, owing to the continued wet weather. Up to Saturday morning, for twenty-four hours, there was a rainfall in North Canterbury of .21in; but on Sunday and yesterday full compensation was offered to tho farmer. Tho grain dried at a rapid rate, and the hot wind on Monday caused rr.anv of tho fields to bo cleared of the stoofcs, and towards evening stacks were springing up liko mushrooms Tho crops of red clover are now at their best, and tho seed promises to. be a good yield. The rain is delaying tho ripening of the crops in all districts (says our I>unedin correspondent). Although it is quite impossible to forecast how long it will bo before cutting is general, it can bo said, with a degree of definiteness, that even if good weather prevails, harvesting operations will not bo widespread for two or threo weeks, probably longer. Most of the grain grown in Otago this year is oats, which are never affected by weather conditions as much as wheat is Influenced. All the same, if the harvesting is not dono when tho crops are in good condition, tho grain is bound to bo depreciated in value ■ Harvesting operations in tho Tai Tapu district have this year been carried on under most aggravating conditions as to weather. Rain has fallen at frequent •intervals, and no sooner is a start made than work is interrupted by bad weather On the whole the crops arc turning out well up to expectations. Barley has in one or two cases reached a yield of 60 bushels to the aero, while oats and wheat should give equally good results. Peas are now being cut and threshing will begin shortly. A considerable area hae this year been sown with this crop, and, given favourable weather for harvesting, some excellent yields should result. The pastures generally have maintained a strong growth right throughout tho Reason, and feed has been very plentiful everywhere.