THE CHOPS IN VICTORIA.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 19, 19 November 1874, Page 4

THE CHOPS IN VICTORIA.

j. From^^Ppartß of Victoria, except one, we Ijave. cheerful reports of the* I effects of the rain upon the crops. The 1 exception' is the Caramut district, whichj according to the 'Pleasant Creek News/ was visited by a very* severe hailstorm. At Caramut the hailstones measured from an inch to an inch and a half in diainater, and did very serious damage to the crops. In many fields the young corn has been almost' entirely destroyed. The 'St. Arnaud Mercury' reports in similar strain:— -"Although in the immediate neighbourhood of St. Arnaud only a \ sprinkling of rain fell, we are glad to know that to the north, in the localities of Sutherland's Plains and ; Watson's Lakes, rain fell in abundance, replenishing tanks and dams, and putting many of the crops in those places beyond fear for the season.'* At Maryborough (says, the ' Advertiser') "torrents of rain fell on Saturday, and oh Sunday also there were heavy Showers. The rainfall hasbeen most opportune, and was general throughout the district. : It witt have the effect of saving the late crops from the complete destruction- which threatened them. More rain has fallen here within the last 24 hours than has fallen within the preceding three months." There will be a great difference in the quality and yield of ihe crops about Eddington, Bet Bet and the adjoiningcountry, but the whole will be vastly ( better than they were expected to be I ten days before* Tarrangower rejoices in the change. "The farmers" (says I the ' Times') "are jubilant, all averring that it will make several bushels per acre difference in the crops. From the very violent downpour on Sunday morning we were fearful that some of the .crops would be ' beaten down, but we are glad to be informed by the initiated that such ia hot the case ; the fall has been a real;, blessing, and another of a similar iature would be equally welcome." The ' Advertiser' reports that " immediately abo»t Ararat a great deal bf rain has fallen, and the weather is still shdweryahd cool. The grass has commenced to spring with great luxuriance, and the appearance of the pastures has* most'materially altered. There are a lew 1 Crops for which the rains; will have ' arrived too late, but even these Will be benefited, and may come to spmethiti^' better than their owners suppose," The * Avoca Free Press' of 24th ult;, reports rather unfavorably at the kite sown crops ; no rains, it is said, can now save them, but tHe early wheats are most promising, and are considered quite safe. Around 'Kyne;tpn (* Observer') the rains have greatly benefited "the crops. From Wopdend r : to Castlemaine, and from Redesdale to, Trentham, tbW country presents a .most gratifying! appearance, i the" sturdy^^' ajipearing as I though they had ' weeived a supply of ( moisture sufiicieht to barry'them on to fie period when tfceir tie' ads will be rip© for the sickle./, ',/'".' ' .'. The- very latest from the: Wiminera is the following from J-he ; ' ; Pleasant Creek New/ -—"Oh the and Wimmera ."during | the l&sf. 'few days, violent thundersto^^ by heavy rains,, 'wye]^prevailed/ As the Richardson mailman '. graphically describes it, as he cro&fed Me,. IVircnelUba Plains on Sunday mbrmti^it was as •« though jbeayen and; earth n^met, torrents of rain CeU;'/and jtfc^ plains were L lfke a. .s.ea^ of /watpr^ ;i^; similar down- / pdifr: of rainis reported 'figfi. Lallal, and / .Rupanyup. i.This/'^ ' jrijl' cause * / 'a Afresh spnng/pf gxass> 'and benefit the / \ crops geh^ratlyv ' ' ' ""< V / j