CANTERBURY'S CROPS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 6, 8 January 1908, Page 5

CANTERBURY'S CROPS.

RAIN BADLY WANTED

THE PASTURES DRYING UP.

[Special to Express!] CHRISTOHURCH, Jan.B. Throughout Canterbury a long period of almost rainless weather has brought about great destruction of crops and pastures, and the outlook is daily becoming less promising. Several times lately tfa,ere have been indications of a change: in the weather, but these promises of a breakup of the drought have,not been fulfilled, and yesterday. the. thermometer registered 80 degrees in the shade.- ■.■'■■''. ' . .'' '' rf: i

As a result of the extremely dry weather of the past month the crops, particularly on the lighter and more porous soils, have ripened prematurely, and in these cases the grain will be ligjht. The crops on the; better-class soils, however,' hay cornel; through the ordeal wonderfully welly; 1 while' the gardens are not nearly ■in ,su<jh bad condition as might have geeh expectl--ed after, such a long drought. The: grass paddocks are beginning to suffer severely* and some apprehension is beginning to be felt about autumn feed. It is feared that a scarcity of feed during -the next few months may cause farmers to rush their sheep and lambs on the market, causing an over-supply, with the probable result of a further drop in values.