RURAL TOPICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15510, 10 January 1911, Page 8

RURAL TOPICS.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL. The cocksfoot harvest is now in full swing all ovnr Banks Peninsula. It is reported that labour is scarce, cutting having started early this season. Crops, though very light, are clean. Thero is a good deal of second growth. Another week of fine weather will see a good deal of seed threshed.

The hot. weather that has prevailed lately bos broueht the harvest forward very rapidly, says the " North Otago Times." Several farmers have already commenced cutting, and others are preparing to set reapers and binders going, orders for binder twin© having come in from various quarters. This activitv is much earlier than usual, and is not a pleasant omen for the harvest. It may be noted that a number of regular grain-growers will not do any cutting at all this year. They have informed merchants with whom they do business that they will require neither binder-twine nor sacks. That means, of course, that they have abandoned their crops to stock.

The cereal crops throughout North Canterbury are ripening rapidly, tho past few dr,vs of hot weather, and especially the "excessive heat experienced on Saturday and Sunday, having made a very perceptible change in the colour of the wheat. A good deal of reaping and some stacking have already been done, but the harvesting will not be general until this week. The crops aro ripenina; a good healthy colour, and no complaint of rust is heard. The reported appearance of the caterpillars in most parts of the northern district is, however, causing anxiety, but. the pest being yet in an early stage of growth, it is hoped that most of the oats and a good deal of the wheat will be harvested before they have developed in sufficient numbers to do serious harm.