BUSH LAND CULTIVATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 645, 2 March 1923, Page 5

BUSH LAND CULTIVATION.

SOWING OPERATIONS HELD UP. WET WEATHER RESPONSIBLE. The abnormally wet season has proved a serious deterrent to the fuller development and expansion of agricultural and pastoral pursuits throughout the North Island, and large tracts of bush country that, under normal climatic conditions, would now be in the initial stages of productivity have had to be neglected. The usual summer spectacle of the bush fire has been conspicuous by its absence this year, the almost unbroken wet weather having soaked the country to such an extent that a “burn” has been out of tiie question. This, in itself, is a serious _ question which this year has resulted, indirectly, so a reporter was informed to-day, in depriving the country of thousands of acres which would Live become productive next season. The impossibility of burning off bush lands has seriously affected the sowing of grass seed, comparatively little having been done this season, and wholesale vendors have experienced a considerable shrinkage in this branch of their business. “The wet weather,” remarked a member of a local firm which specialises in seeds, “has seriously affected the sale of seed this season, having prevented the usual burning of bush land subsequent to which a big percentage of seed is used every year. Autumn sowing hits also been interfered with, and the wet weather has resultoed in orders being cancelled on a big scale. “The new season’s crops—oats and chaff for being damaged, and bright chaff will be very scarce. Farmers, generally, have abundant fodder for the winter and there is not likely to be a big demand for hay, which is being spoiled owing to the weather. I woulcl not say that the position was really serious. During the past two or three years farmers have not been breaking up their land like they did prior to the slump, and the retail market for seed has been curtailed to a considerable extent. We have large stocks on hand and we will not feel inclined to lay in .fresh supplies until we can dispose of them. “Sowing depends largely on the weather, especially in bush country, and it is too late now to do anything this year,”