THE CROPS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 8, 10 January 1912, Page 2

THE CROPS.

NOTES FROM VARIOUS PLACES. It is stated that the present warm weather will hnve tho effect of ripening the crops in tho iUanawatu district very quickly, nnd there is likely to be u-keen demand for harvesters, according to tho Standard. Harvesting is now in full s\ving in the Newbury and Awahuri distriots, some of the farmers having some excellent hay and grain crops. Mr. N. Madden left at the Marl- , Borough Express office on Monday a tangible example of his success in stoi'ing apples. Picked before last Easter, the fruit (of the Stunner pippin variety) was stored for the winter, and when taken out looked almost as fresh as on the day it was put away. Its flavour also was excellent. From the country it is reported that the recent cold weather has put lambs back a good deal (states the Oaniaru Times). Still softie fair-sized first drafts have been made, and for these farmers have received 14s' and 143 6d. Nearly the whole of the fat lambs obtained so far have gone to' the Eveline works, which have been kept fairly active. With the advent of warm weather it is expected that lambs will fatten readily, and that in a short time freezers will become njuch more plentiful. Harvesting operations ' are proceeding under favourable weather conditions in Marlborough, according to the Exnre&s. The general report is that the grain is bring saved in good condition. Many cereal crops are as good as anything yet produced on the Wairau Plain. The peas which had not been cut have been detrimentally affected by the recent soaking rains j, but those which were lying on the ground and could be turned over are making an excellent return. Shearing is now proceeding apace in Southland and if the present favourable weather continues, a week or ten days should see this operation completed as far as farmers are concerned. Considerable difficulty is experienced in procuring shearers' (says the News), and it seems as if many men who followed the occupation in the past have ceased to shoulder "bluey," and the young generation of to-day exhibit no desire to take their place. The introduction of the shearing machine has not done mnch to improve matters in this: respect, as practically the same labour is necessary to denude the sheep of his fleece with the aid of the machine as witii the blades. In bygone day's farmers did their own shearing, but in the majority of instances their sons did not take kindly to the work incidental to shearing, and ehcepowners are, now compelled to rely on outside labour, which is very uncertain. Numerous consignments of wool are, however, coming to hand, and the catalogue to be .submittad at the Jocal sale .vill be a record one. Crops of grain all over the Southland district look vory promising, and if favourable weather is experienced for the next six weeks good yields will be assured. The climatic conditions which have prevailed have had the effect of retarding the growth of all crops, , grain included, so that harvest will be much Jater than usual. .With the advent of real summer weather (saye the News) crops of ryegraes are beginning to show signs of ripening. The straw is likely to be fairly long, but is in such a state that, should unfavourable climatic conditions prevail during the next three weeks, the crops will lie, and Considerable difficulty will be experienced in getting the binder to manipulate it. The seed looks to be filling well, and should be of good quality. A larger area than usual has been reserved for seed this year, especially in the Drummond and ' Heddon Bush districts. Quite as large an area as usual has been planted in potatoes this season in most districts, but present appearances "indicate that the yield will be below the average. Thiß is certainly tho case with regard to the early varieties, and the backward state of the main crop leads one to believe that the yield of tuber* is not likely to be orf a par with the past two seasons. The Unseasonable weather which prevailed during November and the early part of Decomber considerably delayed the getting in of the turnip crop. Farm teams are now working at high pressure sowing tur nips, rape, and grass' for winter fodder, and good progress has been made. The turnips sown previous to the present week have brairded well, but it is feared that the dry weather now prevailing will not bo conducive to brairding, and should this bo the case there will, of necessity be a scarcity of winter feed. " ' i Farmers were almost despairing of getting any hay made this season, according to the Eltharn Argus, but the change of weather has altered matters. Taking [ advantage of the change farmers are now j as busy as bees, from daylight to dark, in the various processes v of haymaking The difficulty now lies in obtaining neceseary labour to get tho hay made and properly stacked. The crops in the Seadown and Temuka districts, in South Canterbury, are looking .exceedingly well, but some of them are showing 3igns of rust owing to tho excess of wet weather. Dead cheep and dead rabbits are now to be seen on the Opihi riverbed, as a result of the recent flood. The ,eereaj and root crops in North Canterbury are looking strong and healthy, but more backward than usual at this time of the year. A good deal ol hay \& fltill unstacked.