DROUGHT BROKEN

Grey River Argus, 27 December 1939, Page 6

DROUGHT BROKEN

CANTERBURY FARMERS Avoid Much Loss [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH December 27. Some increase in’ the yields of grain from Canterbury’s farm lands, better root crops, and much improved pastures will be ample compensation for having the Boxing Dayholiday spoilt by heavy rain. The breaking of the long drought to-day' was welcomed by the farmers and gardeners, though not by the sportsmen and holidaymakers. Reports from country' districts indicate that the rainfall was as widespread as it was generous. From one to three inches fell throughout Canterbury. Torrential at times in some districts, the rain was heavy enough to have caused serious damage had not the ground, parched by' weeks of hot dry w'eather, readily' absorbed the moisture.

The chief adverse result of the rain was an interruption to traffic on the Main South Road through-flooding on the approach* to the Rakaia overbridge. There was a certain amount of scouring on other country roads, but this was the only serious trouble resulting from the downpour.

The rain came a little late to assist the cereal crops to the fullest extent in some North-Canterbury dstricts, but in others the value of these’crops will be greatly enhanced. Farmers, too, report that the rain will make all the difference to ti e young root crops, turnip and rape. An immediate improvement in the condition of the pastures will be anparent for there has been little growth in the last few weeks. T- e harvesting of wheat will begin shortly in North-Canterbury, and the same rain a fortnight ago would have meant a far better yield. In other districts,.however, where there was a likelihood of the wheat filling badly, there will now be better filled grain, and an improved yield to the acre. Another direction in which the rain will help the farming community is in obviating the necessity of rushing lambs to the freezing works. Th) works had been kept open because of the abnormal season, but the provision for killing will become less ur gent as the feed siuation improves.