THE HARVEST

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3190, 3 February 1928, Page 5

THE HARVEST

SPRINGSTON SOUTH DISTRICT

GOOD YIELDS IN PKOSPECT.

(From Our Correspondent)

The area sown in wheat this year, in comparison with that of last year, is approximately in the ratio of three to two. Cereal crops, both wheat and oats, are looking exceedingly well, and the majority of the oat crops have been cut and stacked, and in some cases stacking has been commenced. No wheat threshing has been done yet. The estimated yields will be about 40 to 50 bushels per acre.

The major portion of the oats crop in this district is for chaff, and, up to the present, all oats harvested have escaped rain, and therefore the chaff will be of the very best, being bright and free from rust. Odd paddocks of wheat have been reaped, and if the hot weather continues the majority of the crops of this cereal will be reaped by the middle of February.

A fine paddock of Hunter's wheat is to be seen on Mr H. Hamilton's property, and there are several good paddocks of solid straw Tuscan. At present it is too early to forecast the yields of wheat, as it is a very deceiving crop. This year very few paddocks of grass seed have been closed in, but those that have been enclosed give every indication of yielding well. One of the best crops is on Mr N. Powell's property, and is at present being threshed by one of the small tractor threshers.

The barley crops also give every indication of yielding well, although the averages will not come up to last year's figures.

This district always grows a large area of peas, and this year a still larger area was sown. At present indications are that abnormally heavy yields will he obtained, if the weather remains favourable for the harvesting. A fair area of early peas has been cut, and all are well podded. The late crops are all in bloom. The majority of peas are free, and the prospect of good yields is causing the growers anxiety, as the contract peas will probably supply all requirements.

The hay crops having been harvested much later this year, there is not much prospect of there being many seed clover crops about, although a shower of rain would make a wonderful difference to this crop. The weather has been ideal for the root crops, and these are looking exceedingly well. The rape is feeling the effect of the dry weather. A good 24 hours' rain would be benejfieial to all root crops and pastures, aa well as softening the land for skinv ploughing.