IN THE COUNTRY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 142, 15 December 1908, Page 8

IN THE COUNTRY.

CROP PROSPECTS IN THE WAIRARAPA. {Br TKisoßAra.— Spkoiai to Thb Pobt.l MAST.ERTON, This Day. Under the hot sun experienced during the past few weeks, crops have rapidly ripened, and in the course of another weok tho reaper and binder will be at work in a number of fiolds throughout the district, in fact one or two crops have already been cut. .It is beyond question that this season haR baon the most favourable in the history of the Wairai-apa, and in every direction wavy fiolds of grain of Rood average height, thick and well-headed, are to be seen. Farmers attribute this result in a degree to the fact that the weather conditions during the past winter were very favourable to the preparation of a perfect seed bod, and thus enabled thorn to sow much earlier than is usually the case. Throughout the spring excellent rainfalls were registered, seed sprouted quickly, and crops made vigorous growth, and tho necessary sunny weather for ripening purposes ha 3 been experienced juafc at the right time. In addition to a very heavy yield, the crops are in an exceptionally clean condition, thoro being an entire absence of rust or smut. With a reasonable market price for their produce, agriculturists should be thoroughly well rewarded for their labours this season. The Wairarapa is essentially an oatgrowing district, as the absence of any permanent local demand for wheat in quantities limits its sale, it being quite impossible to compote with the South Island m open market. Then, again, tho climate and soil here is more suited to oat-culture, and for the latter farmers have no difficulty in finding a ready market at good-paying rates. The area under cultivation this year is far in excess of previous seasons, and taken together with increased yields, farmers _ will . be tully recompensed for the drop in prices that must certainly follow, as prices were abnormally high for the greater part of last year. The Lower Manaia and Homcbush land is noted for exceptional producing qualities, and in that locality at present some fields o£ oats are growing which can only be described aa perfect. Messrs. M'Gregor Eros., who farm on scientific lines, have 140 acres in crop, which would bear comparison with any in the district. Mr. George Watson, whose property is at Homebush, has a fairly large field of oats which it is confidently anticipated will yield 70 bushels to the acre. Looking across this crop, which is about five fpot high, it uppttars lo be almost as level as a billiard table, and wonderfully full in tho head. Messrs. W. Perry. Bland Rayr.er, Gray Bros., F. Brooks, and many other farmers on the Taratnhi_ hayo altracti-vo fields of oats alino3t ready 'for harvesting. ," . ' ~On ther-lJpper -Ma-naia; where the soil IB,* of ft somewhat light character, early crops harve -grown remarkably well, • and in a 'field on Mr." O'Siirlivan'a property, which has been cropped consecutively for the past twenty years, oats are growing quit* seven feet high. - On the Fernridge, Messrs. H. Evans and Dagg Bros, have very fine crops growing. Reports frpmTe Ore Ore, Opaki, and Gladstone districts go to prove that the crops are in a forwawi condition, and tho weather indications at present are that the whole will be safely harvestod. In localities where rape is grown, it made excellent progress, particularly m the Bush districts, whore fair rainfall has been .experienced during the pnst two months. In the . Masterton district rape fields are beginning to feel the need of rain. In common with the agriculturists and nastoralists, the dairy farmers aro experiencing a splendid season^ evidence of which is given by the substantial cheques paid out monthly by dairy' companies throughout the Wairarapa -and Bush districts. An average of lOd per lb for butter fat is ruling, and dairy cows are gaining in condition, as feed is plentiful. Lour suppliers to the Konini factory are delivering daily over a ton of milk amongst them.