Lincoln College Report On October’s Weather

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30592, 7 November 1964, Page 18

Lincoln College Report On October’s Weather

Canterbury’s drought Intensified during October, says the Lincoln College monthly report on the weather. While rainfall was less than half the average for October the evaporation rate was twice the usual, and was in fact the highest recorded during October since the evaporation readings were first taken in 1947. Sunshine was 24.6 hours above the mean and more frosts than usual were recorded during the month. The drought brought about a cessation of growth in pastures on light soils and slowed growth on other soils. Lucerne stands at the end of the month had begun to wilt. Few lucerne stands had been cut for hay and many had been grazed. The general feed situation on sheep farms worsened during the month and made the drafting of lambs at light weights essential. In some cases early weaning was carried out. On dairy farms pasture growth was maintained through the use of continuous irrigation. Stock health in the province was satisfactory and the growth rate of lambs on adequate feed was rapid. Pastures closed for ryegrass seed production made little growth, and areas saved for clover seed production made no growth at all. Many weak areas of pasture growth were reopened for grazing. The flag on some autumnsown wheat began to show the effect of low rainfall, high evaporation, and strong, hot winds, the report said. In home gardens growth was slow, even with frequent applications of water. The mean relative humidity, at 62.9 per cent, was lower than for the same periods in the previous three years: 1963, 75.5; 1962, 74.1; 1961, 70.3. The mean temperature for the month was also lower than normal. Last month the mean temperature was 51.7 degrees. In 1963 it was 52.7 degrees, in 1962 54.4 degrees, and in 1961 57.1 degrees. More than double the number of frosts occurred. There were 11 last month, compared with five in October, 1963, two in October, 1962, and three in October, 1961. Rainfall for the month was less than in the same months of 963 and 1962 but greater than in October, 1961. The

figures were: 1964, 0.82 inches; 1963, 0.95 inches; 1962, 1.11 inches; and 1961, 0.20 inches. Hours of sunshine last month were 217.9, compared with 205.5 in 1963, 196.9 in 1962 and 234.4 tn 1961. Rainfall, to the end of October was 13.68 lucres, compared with 23.25 inches in the 10 months of last year, 23.88 inches in 1962, and 24.21 inches in 1961.