THE CROPS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11152, 29 December 1896, Page 2

THE CROPS.

[Correspondents “ Canterbury Times.”J NORTH CANTERBURY. The crops in North Canterbury are suffering severely from lack of rain, and it is difficult to predict just now what the outcome will bo. It is certain, however, that the general yield will be much below the average, even if heavy rain were now to set in, which seems rather improbable. In the early spring, resolves were made and preparations commenced for putting in a considerable area of wheat, as compared with recent years, in anticipation of the good prices premised, but the weather conditions proved unfavourable, the rain which fell with more or less persistency during the spring months making the laud unlit for sowing. The crops that were put in came away in many cases indifferently, and when the dry weather set in, the soil caked to a degree that interfered very seriously with the healthy growth of the young plants. Many of the crops on the plains and downs quickly commenced to head off, and have now a stunted and unpromising appearance as far as yield is concerned. The oats are even now being reaped on the plains, and a good area lias been cut for hay in preference to letting it mature into ■a poor grain crop. The foregoing remarks apply more particularly to the dry plains and uplands. In the lower part of the district, between Baugiora and the sea to the east and the AVaimakariri on the south, the prospects are decidedly more favourable. Here the most of the land is hot easily affected by drought, the lighter Eyreton lands being the exception. Through the Eyreton district there is about the same acreage under crop as last year; and previous to the drought the crops generally were looking well and gave every promise of yielding up to the general average, a result which is not now expected. Along the North Road and in the Woodend district there is a larger area in crop this season, and here ( both the wheat and oats are thriving satisfactorily. At AYest Eyreton the prospects are fairly good, hut in the Gust, Moeraki and Stoke districts the farmers have cause to watch their crops with anxiety. In the Lohurn district there are a few fair crops, the soil here being very retentive of moisture and not readily affected by drought. The uncertainties of reaping inconsequence of the severity of the north-westers from the hills has, however, induced the farmers to give more attention to stock grazing, and of lato years cropping has been on the decline. Through the Ashley and Kowai districts many of the crops arc on the light side, and some are all but a failure. Between Sefton and Saltwater Creek, however, there are the usual flourishing crops to he seen, the land being lowlying and rich.. In the Waikari district very little grain is now growing, more attention being paid to sheep. The few crops to he seen appear to he holding their own very well. To sum up, from the information available it seems clear that the area under white crop in North Canterbury is less than last year, and unless the prospects improve very considerably the yield will he fully a fourth less than that of an ordinarily favourable year. Some very fair hay- crops are being harvested, but the grass on the hills and plains is drying up rapidly. OXFORD. The main interests of Oxford are now sheep and cattle breeding and dairying ; and cropping is only looked upon as subsidiary to these. In short, if grass, turnips, rape, Ac., could ho continually raised without a'change to white crop, the area of the latter would become less every year. Even as it is the acreage under wheat and oats is considerably less than during the last two years. Heavy crops, except in a ..few instances on the swamp lands, cannot he expected, as the spring was so wet and cold that the growth was very - slow, and when the summer did advance the weather was very capricious—a few days very hot and dry and then a few excessively wet and cold. Although the area under white crops is considerably less, that of turnips, rape and grass has proportionately increased, and in many cases large areas have been sown down to grass exclusively instead of adopting the old method of sowing the seed with the wheat and oats. There is a marked increase in tho number of cattle, especially for dairying purposes, and the attention given to superior breeding is very noticeable. Sheep have increased, especially breeding flocks, and tho output of lambs for freezing purposes will far ’exceed that of last year. The hay harvest is now in full swing, and the crop is an average one. Perhaps on tho swamp land it is scarcely up to the usual weight, but the crops are exceptionally good. As to the cream industry, if the number of carts seen in the early morning at tho creamery is any indication of an increase, than a favourable conclusion must he arrived at. Closely connected with this industry is pig feeding, but, strange to say, pigs were never scarcer in the district than at the present time.

There is a falling oh in the number of horses in the district, but the breeding of both light and heavy classes has much improved during the last few years. The class known as the light ordinary—that is, an all-round farmer’s horse, lit for plough, trap or saddle —is especially noticeable, and further improvement may ho expected seeing that the stud horses in the district are all that can be desired. It is safe to say that the farming interest in the district is advancing and the number of farmers increasing, the breaking up of the Ellis’s estate having added about twenty to the number. Hopes are entertained that the railway reserve at View Hill will shortly be cut up into reasonably sized blocks.

The settlers of the district have a complaint, considering themselves unfairly treated in reference to railway rates for their produce, particularly when compared with other lines, the Sheffield line in particular. On the whole the Oxford district

is decidedly advancing- in the various industries mentioned above.

WEST CANTERBURY. So much depends upon tho weather during' the next three or four weeks, that it is exceedingly difficult at this stage to make oven an approximate estimate of the probable yield in this part of Canterbury, Compared with other parts of tho province this district is peculiarly liable to suffer severely from those devastating- uor’westers, which, as tho grain crops approach maturity, blow with such destructive force and disastrous consequences. At Christmas time last year, even the most pessimistic prophets were forced to admit that the outlook was -unusually promising. How those hopeful anticipations wore blasted is matter of history. In numerous cases not sufficient grain was left by tho nor’-wester to pay for the cost of harvesting, and it would be a moderate estimate to say that throughout West Canterbury the yield of the harvest of 1895-6. was reduced fully 35 percent as a consequence of a few hours’ wind.

Throughout West Canterbury the area under cereals this season shows a slight increase, this, however, being- entirely in oats. The fairly remunerative prices for oats which ruled during the past winter no doubt proved an incentive to many farmers to devote a larger area to their cultivation. The district contains such a multitudinous assortment of soils, varying from the rich black loams to the lightest sandy soils, that it is a task of considerable difficulty to make an approximate estimate of the probable yield. Under ordinary circumstances the yield for oats should reach 23 bushels, whilst the wheat should average quite 18 bushels per acre. Despite tie almost entire absence of rain during- the spring, the grain crops are, with a few isolated exceptions, looking very promising. Rain, however, is badly wanted, and throughout the district everyone is complaining of the continuance of the dry •weather. Already the grass has suffered to a considerable extent, and pastoralists will, unless,the weather changes immediately, he in serious straits for feed for their stock. As yet few turnips have been sown, and it would bo premature to malm a forecast. A. considerable area, is m preparation however, and tho present season wil\ witness a very substantial increase in the acreage under this crop. Last year the turnip crops in every part of the district were unusually prolific, and to this, coupled with tho eminently satisfactory prices ruling for fat sheep, 1 must be attributed the increased acreage which will he devoted to the crop this season. As is well known, farmers are notoriously disinclined to adopt new and scientific means to increase the fertility and prolificness of their land, but they are gradually coining to recognise that without employing some of tho artificial manures now in the market, all kinds of crops, and more especially green ones, are exceedingly uncertain. By the judicious uso of these fertilizers, however, a satisfactory return can be relied upon with the greatest certainty, and few farmers now venture to sow any considerable area of turnips without using these manures.

Everywhere it is noticeable how much of the success or non-success of tho grain crops is dependent upon the methods of cultivation followed by the farmers. Where the very primitive and almost obsolete systems are slavishly followed, the crops are already beginning to suffer seriously from the continued absence of rain, and even wore a change to come at once these fields can hardly ho expected to recover. Where the land has been thoroughly worked and treated scientifically the crops still look very green and healthy.

As in former years, the sparrow and his kindred are proving; most insidious enemies to the farmer. The half-hearted, isolated and spasmodic efforts of the local bodies to deal with the. sparrow nuisance appear quite ineffectual to check the rapid increase of those feathered peats. Other posts, too, in the shape of noxious ' insects are every year becoming more numerous, but the injury wrought by these pales into insignificance when viewed in comparison with that for which the small birds are responsible. ASHBURTON COUNTY. At the present time it is impossible to form anything liko a correct estimate of what thelcrops will yield at harvest time, as so much depends upon the weather that, we get from this time until the crops are ripe. The season has been somewhat remarkable. A few hot days in August gave promise of an early spring, but the actual facts were quite the opjiosite, cold weather again setting in, and lasting well into November. After this dry hot weather set in again, and the crops have suffered severely for want of moisture. In. consequence, the crops, although keeping a good colour, have not grown vigorously, and the straw will be very short. No season for a long time has shown so clearly the difference between good and bad farming as the present does. . Where tho land has been only half cultivated, and the grain sown late and whilst the land was wet, the crop has never done well, and as soon as the dry weather set in ceased to grow at all—in fact, may be put down as a failure. On the contrary, where the land has been well worked, and the grain sown early, the crops have kept a good colour, have grown fairly well, and will yield an average crop. The early crops in all cases are the' best, more particularly the oats. The late-sown oats, may already be looked upon as a faihrre, as no weather that we are likely to get now will make them fit for anything' but sheep feed ; in fact a good many farmers have already turned their sheep into them to eat them down. The dry hot weather of the last month has injuriously affected all the crops in the district, and the yihld per acre will probably be below r the average. Tempted no doubt by last year’s high prices, more land has been sowm in wheat than for some years-past, whilst the quantity in oats is less than usual. As the oat, crop may be put down as a failure, there will certainly bo no oats to export from this district; probably a good many will have to be imported. The quantity of land in barley, peas, beans or linseed will be very small indeed. In going through the different ‘parts of the district, starling from Ashburton'and travelling through Wakanui, it is seen that the earl/ crops of wheat are well out in ear, and are still looking a good healthy colour, and will probably yield thirty bushels to the acre. The oats are very short in the straw, and, where late, will be hardly worth cutting. Further out on the plains, towards Eakaia, and travelling through Seafiekl, Kyle, Dorie and Acton, the crops have not suffered so much in proportion as on the heavier laud, and will give an average crop, if wo got some rain between this and harvest. Along tho Methveu line the crops aro light until Cameron’s is reached; here they still look a good colour, and being early will yield well. At Winchmoro the crop is short. Passing over to the Ashburton Porks, on the old well-cultivated farms some of the best crops in the district are to be seen, but south of the Ashburton River the dry weather lias been badly felt, and even on the good Lagmhor laud the yield will be very light. In the Longbeach district there are some good crops to be seen, but even in the swamps, the" late spring, and tho want of a few showers during the last month, have prevented tho luxuriant growth that is generally seen in this district, and tho crops will not bo up to the average. Amongstthespring wheat a very much larger proportion of black, smutty heads are to be seen than usual; in some cases this amounts to almost 10 per cent, and will no doubt seriously affect the yield. Taken altogether, the wheat crop will be below the average considerably, and the district will have to import oats in considerable quantities for next year’s use. As the corn is just now in a critical stage, tho actual yield will depend very much upon tho weather that we get during tho next few days.

SOUTH CANTERBURY. Tho area under crop in South Canterbury this year will probably be found, when the statistics are published, to bo some-

whei-o near the same extent as last year, when there were about 56,000 acres in wheat, 45,000 acres in oats and 3300 in barley. The area under oats may bo _ larger, as, owing to tho unfavourable sowing season, many farmers were unable to get their wheat all in, and had to sow oats at last. Inquiries from farmers in different localities give the general answer as to area “ About tho same; a little more in some places, less in others.” The average report as to the prospects of the wheat crop is doleful in tone. The winter was so wet that work on clay lands was deferred till the last moment, and then the seed had to be rushed into soil in unsuitable condition, often a mere puddle, and dry weather supervening the surface baked hard, and the plants could not possibly thrive. In such country the crops are very thin and stunted. On dry shingle land the grain crops made a good start, but the dry weather checked them, and the drought and heat or November and December has, in the worst cases, parched them. The heavy showers of Thursday last, where they fell, will have been of great value to the crops on both clay and shingle lands. In localities where the subsoil is porous and tho subterranean water is near its surface—and the wet winter secured the latter condition in many places usually dry—■ there are as fine crops as one could desire. The Seadown country, east of the railway, Temuka district,- Totara Valley and the like are of this sort of country, and good yields will be obtained there. The crops on the downlands near and south of Timaru, which are not stiff clays, but could not be worked early, present great variability, some of them being good, others of the poorest. On the farms in the Fairlie and Alhury districts, where everything is a fortnight or so later than near the coast, fairly average yields are anticipated. Taking the district as a whole, a good judge estimates the average defect in tho yield at one-third compared with last year, and adds that the increase in’ prices since last harvest will just about make up for it. The estimated averages, as given to the collectors of agricultural statistics last year, were—Wheat 27, oats 30, barley 28 bushels per acre. ' TESIITEA. The crops in this district vary very much in quality, according to the period at which they were sown and the quality of the land. The area under cultivation, is, apparently, slightly in excess of that of last year. The area that will 'be reaped will, however, bo less. Upon the swamp and alluvial Muds the wheat crop looks very well, in. fact, the winter wheat throughout the district is good, although, in some localities, the straw will be shorter than usual. The spring cro]Tj both of wheat and oats, is almost invariably bad, so bad that some w(tll not bo harvested. On the Waitohi Flat, portions of tho Kakahu and Hilton district, where the crops wore put in with the land on the wet side, and suffered almost immediately from, the effects of drying, blighting winds, the,returns will be very small. Last week, it is no exaggeration to say, there, were hundreds of acres not nine inches high where the grain was well into ear. In some instances cattle.have been turned into the crop, and although the rain of Thursday will slightly improve matters, followed as it •was by cool weather, yet upon the land alluded to the crop will barely repay the cost of harvesting. Between the railway line and tho beach the crops will probably thresh'better than their appearances might warrant. The season has suited this land, and good returns, probably an average of over 40 bushels, bar accidents, may be looked for. Around Winchester and tho outskirts of Temuka township the crops are fairly good, oats and spring wheat being lighter than usual, but not remarkably so. Crops on down laud have suffered beyond recovery. The above remarks also apply to the Seadown and Levels Plains districts. Early crops are invariably good or very fair, late-sown ones fair to very poor. There is every prospect of an early harvest.

The hay crop has been secured in excellent condition, and the softer weather has given the after-math a good start. The rain has saved the turnip crop from comparative failure, and should the weather continue cool an opportunity will be given for re-sowing several paddocks where the crop has actually failed. WAIMATE. The area under crop in this district is considerably more than that of last year. The area under cereals cannot be ascertained, as the statistical returns are far from complete. Wheat appears to predominate, this being for the most part winter sown. The area under oats is much larger owing to the long spell of wet weather during tho latter part of winter and the early spring, which completely stopped the sowing of wheat; fanners consequently sowed oats on the land pre--pared for a wheat crop. _ Early sown and mid-season crops are looking best, while all late crops are suffering from want of rain. Though the area under crop is in excess of last year, tho yield will scarcely come up to that of 1596. Rain is badly wanted to fill the crops, which are now coming out in ear, and also to nourish the later sown ■ones. The-hay crops are very heavy, and are being harvested in.fine condition. A Potatoes and other root crops are looking well, but the area is much smaller than that of last year. The strawberry crop has been a most abundant one, and the season excellent for ( gathering. Up to seven tons of strawberries have been consigned from Waimatel station in one day. | NORTH OTAGO. The crop prospects in this district at the time of writing are extremely hopeful; indeed, it is’: no exaggeration to say that they have not‘been as bright as they are now for many years past. This refers both to the prospective yield of produce and to the probable price, the opinion being firmly held here that prices during the coming season "will rule big’ll. There is very little old wheat held, and supplies of oats and barley are small. There is a lesser area in potatoes also, which may help the tuber. The young, or rather middle-aged cereal crops are looking splendid. The wet winter and spring thoroughly drenched the subsoil, and gave everything a grand strong start, with the result that the. grain looks heavy and strong, and the yield! promises to be good. 'Some, of the latesown crops, the root crops, and the grass in places were beginning to look a little parched at the beginning of last week, but a few hours’ heavy rain on Thursday—which was general in the district—brightened things up, and gave everything fresh heart. We could still stand a little more, and |present indications point to , more. There is about tho usual area under , crop in this district as regards wheat and oats, but barley is less, I understand. On the tables the crops are, as usual, splendid and on the newly-cnt-up Maerewhenua Estate there are some of the finest wheat crops in tne 'district to be seen, there being a. promise of a'.forty to fifty bushei yield.* This should give the settlement a good lift toward prosperity. On Ardgowan the crops are mostly oats, and these, too, are looking well. Round about Waimate tho crops are also looking well, though requiring rain; I had a run round South Canterbury at tho beginning of the week, and without knowing much of the necessities- and possibilities of tho crops there, can testity to the fact that if one’s eyes are to be trusted they will be very heavy. From Timaru to Ternuka the gram was r a perfect picture, acres of magnificent wheat and oats and barley greeting the eye at every mile. In Central Otago things are not so good, and great complaints aro made ,of the drought. Since writing the above wo have had a further heavy fall of rain.