THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10566, 28 January 1895, Page 3

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Our Waimate correspondent writes: — Saturday was the warmest day experienced hero during this summer, the thermometer rising to llldeg at 1 p.m. Harvest is now general in the district, and should fine weather continue for a few weeks the crops will be saved in splendid condition. The yield will be much better than that of last year, and the samples of all cereals (if not discoloured by untimely rain) should be excellent. Cocksfoot seed is now being threshed out. There is a marked improvement on last year’s seed, both in weight and colour. Our Timaru correspondent says Capital harvest weather was experienced in South Canterbury last week, good crying breezes and hot days alternating. Saturday waa extremely hob, too hot in fact to bra trusted, it was remarked, for as a rule excessively hot days are precursors of wet or storms. Generally the crops in South Canterbury this season are excellent, but tho area under grain will show a large shrinkage when the returns are made up. Our Bangiora correspondent writes;— 1 Saturday was probably the hottest day experienced this season in the northern district, the thermometer being well up to 120 in the sun and 90 in the shade, although a light north-west breeze was blowing. The Oamaru Mail says Samples of the new season’s wheat and barley from the Upper , Waitaki were shown to us this (Friday) morning, and judging from these the gram this year will bo of capital quality. The wheat is a nice even sample, well formed and clean, and the barley is also of good quality. The wheat will average about twenty-five to thirty bushels in the district referred to. Tho heads are well filled and the straw short, and the comparative lowness in the yield will be more than compensated for by the saving in the coat of harvesting. The crops in tho WastTaieri district aro in splendid condition (observes the Advocate) and farmers anticipate a very good yield. Tho Californian thistle has proved a groat annoyance to farmers, and unless effective measures are adopted for its eradication, it promises to prove a serious drawback to those engaged in agriculture. Some of the farmers are growing barley this year, and the other day wo noticed several promising-looking crops, A few of 'the farmers have already cut their oats for chuffing purposes, and it is expected that tho harvest will bo in full swing in about a fortnight’s time.