NEW ZEALAND CROPS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1916, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND CROPS

Never before has there been such a spell of dry weather (reports the Waimate correspondent of the Timaru Herald). The greatest Godsend that the district could have at the present time would be a week of steady rain. Grass paddocks are becoming nothing but brown, sunbaked patches, watercourses are dry, and wells are fast following; sheep and cattle in places are dying for want of water, and even aged trees that have withstood many a gale and many a summer's heat are bowing their heads in resignation to the want of moisture. So far the water supply to the town has stood the demands made upon it very well, but in the face of a probable week or two more of the dry weather great care, will have to be taken that the water is not" wasted. Threshing is the order of the- day at present, and there is plenty of work for willing hands. From all indications, although crops have done well, considering the dry weather, it is likely to be a "lean"

year. . . ■ .*•'•.. The Mataura correspondent of the Southland News writes :—"lt is now taken for granted that there will be an1 eai-ly harvest. The very propitious weather we have had has brought on the oat crops amazingly.; indeed, they are so heavy in this district that in many; cases they are lying- down, and a heavy rain with wind would lay .them so-.flat that they would be difficult to harvest.. Grass is also, abundant, and in the memory of the oldest yinhabitant there Were never such crops jot: hay, and such good weather to harvest; it. The result is that the"~fTeezing works have started much earlier this year, sheep and. lambs being available. The works opened recently,, .and put through 800 sheep and 28 head of cattle on the first day. The dairy factory is slackening off a . little, but still there, is a good supply, and it looks very ,like. a record year ''for the', factory." While sufficient rain'has. fallen along the foothills of South Canterbury to leave the. crops in, that Tegibn in excellent condition, and' promising a big return, further back in the hills1, strange to say, the drought is being- keenly felt, especially at Four Peaks. On one run at.least in that locality the land is hopelessly parched where it runs deeply into the hills, arid all that appears tobe thriving are the rabbits ; which have appeared in such large numbers that at this unusual season of the year poisoning has.been ordered, and is in progressy ' —. ■•■'•.'