INADEQUATE RAINFALL

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 53, 26 November 1929, Page 10

INADEQUATE RAINFALL

CANTERBURY CROPS AFFECTED

Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, November 25. Cereal crops throughout Canterbury are reported to be in poor condition as a result of the prolonged spell of dry weather. The rainfall for the present month is the lowest on record since 1916. Scattered showers have fallen on six days during November, and the amount of rain recorded at the Christchurch Observatory so far is only .420 of an inch. The average fall for the period between November 1 and November 26 is 1.4 inches. . In the North Canterbury districts the crops are backward, and heavy rain is urgently needed to bring them to maturity. Crops on the lighter lands are showing heads of grain, and rain at this juncture would mean all the difference between poor and good yields. Light showers in some parts have improved the farmers’ outlook, but a general soaking of the crop areas of the whole province would re suit in a tremendous amount of good. The sowing of root crops has been commenced in the heavier soils, which are able to hold what moisture has fallen, but turnips and other late crops have not been able to be sown. In the lighter country pastures are showing the effects of the dry spell, and the problem of providing feed for stock threatens to become agute._