GOOD PROSPECTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1934, Page 4

GOOD PROSPECTS

SPRINGTIME IN NELSON

A WELL-SOAKED LAND

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

NELSON, September 3,

The mild weather experienced during the past month, is having a marked effect on crops and grass which are now well advanced for so early iv the spring. iNo longer can complaint bo made that I the country is too dry. For the first time in recent years the ground has received a thorough soaking during the winter, and the springs throughout the district have- been restored to usual volume* The effects of the droughts of the last two summers have been accentuated by the fact that the subsoil has been dry, but this will not be tho case during tiro coming summer. However, the continual wet weather has held up farming operations, and now '.hat more favourable conditions prevail farmers are making up for lost time, and busy teams are to be seen on every hand. In addition it is spray-timo in the orchard areas, where the trees are budding, and the present spell of over a week's almost continuous sunshine has allowed growers opportunity to undertake seasonal work.

On the Waimea Plain the wet weather has favoured vigorous growth, and already some of the earliest sown oats are showing signs of coming into ear. Whether they will be satisfactorily harvested remains to be seen. Early green peas have not been as successful as usual this year. Some of the very earliest, grown on the foothills along tho plain at Richmond, Hope, and Brightwater, were spoilt by falls of snow, and too much rain has spoiled others. However, the crops now coming into bearing are looking well and with continued satisfactory weather good results should bo obtained from them. Owing to the prolonged drought last summer, and consequent light crops of hay, it was anticipated that tho winter would reveal a serious shortage,of hay and other fodder. However, tho season has been mild and in many cases farmers will have a surplus to carry over to next year. Stock has wintered well in most parts of the district. Dairy farmers have commenced tho new season, and with favourablo. prices can look forward to a fairly successful one. It could hardly bo worso than last year, which will be remembered as one of the worst on record.

In August the Cawthron Instituto registered 4.58 in of rain, making a total of 25.03 in for the year to date.