IN THE WAIRARAPA

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 48, 24 February 1917, Page 9

IN THE WAIRARAPA

THE SEASONS REVIEWED

WHEAT CROPS VERY POOR

(II DVR SPECIAL RRPORTER.)

It took the present war to bring homo to many dwellers in the cities the importance of the country districts to.the nation as.'a whole. In times like the present the problem of obtaining sufficient food both for the Army and civilian population .is one of. the biggest to be: faced,. In New Zealand .much has been said about a possible serious short age of labour for country work, , but so far the position has not really been acute, although there is no doubt that many farmers have been. forced to give up agriculture and devote themselves to those branches of farm. work which call, for less help. That, at any rate, has been the case on many .Wairarapa holdings, according to enquiries made in the district this week. Some farmers have been loyal enough to struggle on as usual, but in most cases they have found the task a disheartening one. It certainly has not paid them very handsomely. The past season in the Wairarapa has been a mixed one, and while entirely" suitable to pastoralists, it has not, in the majority of cases, been suitable for agriculturists and those dairy farmers on some of the lighter grounds. The district experienced splendid rains in the ' earlier and later part of the spring, which had the effect of producing an abnormal growth everywhere. Grass was to be found in abundance, but, owing to the dry months of early ■ summer, the green pastures soon gave way to the uninviting brown. Pastures, particularly those on light lands, dried quickly, for in November and December some extremely hot weather was experienced. Taken all round, however, it cannot -be said that the district has experienced an unprofitable season, and fanners have no reason to complain of their earnings. , I WHEAT; AND OATS.- ' . Considerable interest has been shown in the wheat crops this year. The Post's forecast in the last periodical review of the district has been'borne out, most of the yields being very poor. It is anticipated, in fact, that the yield will be only from half to two-thirds of what was originally expected, and that is a serious matter, even though the Wairarapa is not great wheat-producing country. In some cases it has been found that the grain was not well filled, and is unsuitable for milling purposes. The area sown in oats yielded well, except for the crops sown in the spring, which, in the majority .of cases, were failures. This applies more particularly to crops on the light lands. The root crops—turnips, etc.—were faring badly, but recent rains have helped them -. considerably, and, given fair conditions from now on, the final result should be well up to the average. A larger area than usual was put down in root crops this year. Owing to the shortage of labour, many farmers decided to take this conrse in preference to risking the chance of an unsuccess- j ful harvest. I MONEY IN SEEDS. The farmers of the Wairarapa were in hopes of obtaining big yields of ryegrass during this season, ,but an exceptionally heavy., gale upset, calculations. It was-either still standing or just freshly cut, and the grain was scattered to the four'points of the compass. This was extremely unfortunate, and to some it meant, a, heavy -loss,. ■,-,. Here is .one instance:. A farmer .who cut sixteen acres', and expected a yield of twenty-five bushels to; the acre, obtained only about •100 bushels all told-. ■ Heavy rains also did damage to ,a:large quantity, of seed. However, a good price has been paid for the ryegrass which was harvested. Much more cocksfoot was harvested thts year than is usually the case, and it is quite-reasonable to estimate that about 1000 sacks were -. collected. Big prices have been the rule for cocksfoot, and the .few who were able to collect the seed also collected some handsome cheques. DAIRYING AND STOCK. -According to all reports the earlier pai't of the season was a record one for the dairymen, but with the early, summer months so-dry the supply diminished very rapidly, just as it did in the case of dairymen in other parts who supply Wellington. Recent rains will have-the effeat of stinvulat'mg autumn growth, and the factories, are more than likely to run to about the usual period. It will probably be found that, generiJly speaking, dairymen have experienced a profitable season. ' Sheep and cattle Tiave done exceptionally . well: Stock is very scarce, and high prices are ruling. This year the pastoralist has experienced a. very successful season, probably the best he has ever enjoyed. That is saying a great deal, but it is an obvious fact. There is as much chance of meeting a glum-faced sheep-faraier in the Wn#arapa as there is of meeting a German liner on tVie open seas. ' PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE. The prospects / for the future in the Wairarapa are bright. The district is benefiting as the result of three successive good rains .last month, which should ensure a, good: supply of ' autumn feed. If the March rains . come as usual, a plentiful supply, of winter fodder will be assured. Farmers are now.. busy skimploughing and' preparing ,the ground for sowing green fodder for winter. But with al] the outstanding desire is for an end td' =Ithe war and a speedy return to normal conditions. ■ '