WAIATA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 82, 5 March 1935, Page 2

WAIATA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WAIATA, March 4. Mr R. W. Brown, “Glengarnock,” Waiuta, reports that the rainfall for Fobruary, s.B4ins, is the highest yet recorded in that month. Tho average for the month sinco 1913 in 2.6lins, tho highest apart from last month’s fall being 4.35 ms in 1914, and the lowest ,84in in 1924. On February 20, 21 and 22 4.37 ins of rain fell, this being ,02in more than fho previous highest for the wholo month. Though floods in February are not unknown, they are certainly unusual, tho last remembered occurring in 1891. The liberal rainfall had a most beneficial effect on pastures and crops, almost a spring growth being evidenced. Dairy returns have responded better than was expected. Tho white buttrefly has done a tremondous amount of damage to swedo crops in the district, practically every crop being affected. The spotted hairy caterpillars which caused so much annoyance recently have been proved to be the lupin caterpillar. Many large trees, particularly kowhais, havo been stripped bare. In view of the havoc done by the white butterfly, farmers aro now pessimistic regarding the lupin bug and aro sitv cerely hoping that it may not turn its attention from the kowhai and lupin to tare* or lucerne crops.