THE WEATHER AND CROPS.

Lake County Press, Issue 2118, 17 May 1906, Page 4

THE WEATHER AND CROPS.

It is almost quite safe to say that since the Wakatipu District was converted from its natural state into a farming country a more unfavorable season for harvesting has never been experienced, Notwithstanding all this 5 the farmers of thi3 district have a good deal to be thankful for. The present year has been quite an exception, and the good yields and favorable seasons of the past more than compensates them for any loss or inconvenience they are at present experiencing. Southland farmers indeed the farmers throughout Otago and Southland can never rely on a good season; in fact favorable weather at the harvesting period is tho exception. This season in particular Southlanders have been in a sorry plight, and reports from that quarter give soma idea of the state of tho weather and crops. Reports come from all directions in Southland that a large portion of the oat crop still remains standing or in stook, and that farmers who have gone in for cropping will suffer a severe loss, which will, of course, be somewhat reduced if weather conditions were to brighen. However, for weeks past the tiller of the soil has been patiently waiting for the gloom to pass over, and though intervals have enabled portions of the crops to be harvested, these have been of too brief duration for any substantial benefit to accrue. Matters might have been even worse than they are had cold winds not prevailed. These having had the effect of preventing tho crops from sprouting, but the last few days of warmer atmo?-> phere have added to the troubles cf growers. The Western Star says that on some farms in the Gummies and Wild Bush districts the oats are beginning to grow in the centre of the stooks, and it is stated that in the Balfour, Black Swamp, and Cattle Flat districts fully 500 acres remain to be cut. The soft condition of the ground in the Balfour district prevents the use of the reaper and primitive methods have been requisitioned to meet the situation, such as the use of the mower and the scythe. In other parts of the districts also the farmers find cutting operations out of the question, owing to the condition of the ground, and there are cases in which tho oats are standing in a considerable quantity of water. Old settlers declare the present the worst season they have experienced.