SOUTHERN PROSPECTS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23699, 25 July 1942, Page 3

SOUTHERN PROSPECTS

CROPS AND STOCK Quite a cheering prospect was given “Straggler” the other day by a Christchurch resident, who had just returned from a trip to Dunedin, of seasonal conditions down country. He said that the young wheat crops in North Otago are looking particularly well. Little growth is apparent so far but the crops are healthy looking and the colour good. The wheat acreage in North Otago, moreover, appeared to be considerably larger than that of last year, and that was the opinion expressed by local farmers with whom the visitor came in contact. The main cause of this, doubtless, is the high average yield for Otago last season. The progress threshings published to date show an average yield of 46 bushels an acre, and as the great bulk of the Otago wheat was grown iri North Otago it is expected that the final return for the area will practically maintain this average. There is still some threshing to do of heavy crops which went down before being cut, and these also should maintain the position. North Otago generally is looking very well, and stock appear to be in excellent condition. The winter on the coastal belt has been very mild, but fairly severe frosts have been experienced inland. Inquiries in South Canterbury indicate that though there will be an increase in the wheat acreage it will not be as large as some of the earlier estimates. The expanding acreages of small seeds is one cause of the smaller wheat increase and another is, to an extent, the result of linen flax growing. TTie success made in South Canterbury of small and brassica seeds production has encouraged farmers in North Otago to adopt a similar policy, conditions being similar in most respects. Meetings of farmers have already discussed the possibilities. LINEN FLAX LABOUR PROVISION FOR HARVESTING The Minister of Agriculture has announced .that in certain districts some misunderstanding appears to exist in regard to the availability of labour from military camps for the pulling and harvesting of linen flax. “The matter has been taken up with the National Service Department,” said Mr Barclay, “and as a result the position may definitely be confirmed that labour for the production of linen flax crops will be available to farmers from military camps on the same basis as similar labour is available in connexion with wheat production. Farmers may therefore proceed with their arrangements to grow the 25,000 acres of linen flax aimed at by the Government, secure in the knowledge that their efforts will not be hindered by shortage of labour at critical periods.”