SERIOUS DROUGHT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 287, 7 November 1925, Page 9

SERIOUS DROUGHT

AMERICAN VISITATION. SITUATION ALARMING. 1 (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Received November 7, 12.25 p.m. " NEW YORK, Nov. 6. Tlie United States is now suffering from a second year of drought which, although touching certain parts of the country lightly, lias done, and is continuing do, serious damage. There is a stringent deficiency of moisture over the most part of tlie country. It had been expected that last winter's rains would bring tlie desired relief, but these failed to eventuate, and tlie spring, summer and the present autumn have also proved disappointing, with tlie exception of a few districts where recent rain afforded much relief. The area which lias suffered worst is tlie belt extending southwards from Missouri to Texas and eastward through Southern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Virginia, tlu«jico southward to Florida and tlie Gulf of Mexico. The only sections having a normal rainfall are New England, California Idaho, Montana and Utah. One observer describes the conditions as follows:—“The situation in many parts of the drought-stricken regions can only be called sensational. A lack of water to supply the power companies has made it' necessary to restrict tlie cotton mills’ operations. In some parts of tlie southern states the shortage of water for lino Stock has been extreme. Municipalities have been obliged to put into effect rigid restrictions on the use of water for domestic purposes, and, in many places, the problem of securing drinking water has reached a point involving genuine hardship. Disastrous consequences to the maize crop was prevented only by a singularly fortunate distribution of a small rainfall in the majjze-growing area, but nevertheless official forecasts show that there will be a 75,000,000 bushels’ diminution of tlie crop.”—A. and N.Z. cable. In November, 1924, a drought throughout the United States caused tremendous damage.