WEATHER AND CROPS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 89, 13 October 1915, Page 8

WEATHER AND CROPS

The storm which -is expected to come about to-morrow has not, up to the present, developed energetically, although gales are reported in two or three places in the South Island, and the Macquarie Island station last night gave a barometrical reading of 28.79, showing a steep gradient to the southward of the Dominion. Although it is possible that the storm may pass, it cannot be regarded as probable, and warnings for northerly gales will be exhibited this evening at Castlepoint and on all the South Island lighthouses. The weather forecast is of a similar character to yesterday — sultry conditions on the East Coast of both Islands, warm and humid generally, with rain following, especially in districts with a westerly aspect, and a falling barometer everywhere. Winds are now freshening from the northward, and will go back to the west again. Reports from Southland continue uniformly optimistic. Warm weather in the Lake Country has brought the grass away splendidly, and is having a similar beneficial influence on autumnsown crops. Recent rains have freshened up pastures in the Wrey's Bush district. In other parts it is reported that the ground is thoroughly soaked, and well able to resist a short drought should such come. In North Otago, according to the Oamaru Mail, beneficial results of the week's rains are everywhere apparent. Grass is coming away with a rush, and even fields that a week ago were bare are now putting on a pleasing mantle of green. The feed problem that has for months confronted farmers has been completely solved, and fears in that direction have been banished. The ground, too, has been put in a state when it can be prepared for sowing, and oats being got m, while preparations are being pushed forward for the sowing of rape, turnips, and other crops to provide winter and early spring feed. v In South Canterbury, state reports in the Timam Herald, an inch of rain has been recorded at Fairlie, and the difference this has made in the appearance of the country is wonderful. In place of the dry, parched look of recent times, a pleasing and refreshing greenness is now to be seen. Farmers, before the rain, were experiencing a difficulty in feeding their stock, and, with the lambing in full swing, the prospects were not very bright. The xrops were also beginning to suffer, but everything now will have taken a new lease of life.