LONGEST DRY SPELL IN LIVING MEMORY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 110, 3 February 1938, Page 10

LONGEST DRY SPELL IN LIVING MEMORY

Southern Otago District Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, February 2. An exceptionally dry spell, the longest in living memory, is being experienced in the farming district between Milburn and Pukerau, in South Otago. Although rain has fallen in Canterbury, North Otago, and Southland, and to some extent relieved the dryness in those districts, there have been no showers in the above area. “Surface watering was introduced for the first time at Waewera recently, and travellers caff now see the unusual phenomena of an irrigated paddock in this district. The results are outstanding and go to show the exceptional dryness of the surrounding paddocks, which an Australian visitor compared to burnt-out areas in the Commonwealth,” said a local stock and station agent. “Throughout the South Otago ' district, including Greenfield, Clydevale, Tuapeka West, Balelutha and Miltchi, both'swede and rape crops are badly affected and roots are not showing any growth. Farmers are now locking for outside grazing fo r their sheep, which is most unusual, as these districts have always been able to carry stock. It places the affected farmers ip a serious position as they have to conserve root crops for winter feed.”