EFFECT ON FARMERS

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 43, 21 February 1938, Page 2

EFFECT ON FARMERS

Orchard Operations Hampered TOMATOES WIPED OUT From Our Own CorresDondent. HASTINGS, Feb. 19. Various phases of the primary industries are being affected by the continuance of the wet weather, and generally there Is a desire now tn the farming community for a long spell of dry weather. Orchard operations are being seriously handicapped, with every likelihood of the late peach crop being ruined, while harvest costs will be heavier than expected. Tomato and potato crops, too, have been extensively damaged, so much so that it is considered very likely that the remainder of the season’s harvest will have been completely wiped out. So far as stock is concerned, the only fear is that a continuance of the present humid conditions will bring about an outbreak of maggot fly, while young sheep and lambs may find the pastures too sappy and develop a scour. On the other hand, indications point to there being abundant feed available for stock during the coming winter.

“The effect of the rain on the late peaches is certainly serious, for it will he almost impossible to control tho brown rot soon enough to save the late varieties which are now maturing,” said Mr N. J. Adamson, Government Orchard Instructor, this morning when reviewing the position of the fruit-growing industry. “This further spell of rain will also be detrimental to some of the apples, but the major problem confronting growers is getting in their # harvest.” Under the present prevailing humid and wet conditions, Mr Adamson said, the fruit would swell very rapidly and bring about an early maturity. Growers would have great difficulty for a few days in being able to get about their orchards and it would mean further interruption to the picking operations. “There is such a big crop to be harvested this season that really the growers cannot afford to have any delays.” he said. “Already they are finding it as much as they can do to keep up with the picking of the fruit now maturing, and there is a distinct possibility that there will be an overlapping of the varieties. Delays in the work only add to the cost of harvesting.” Concerning the tomato crop, Mr Adamson was very pessimistic, and considered that the crop for this season will be about finished as the result of this latest spell of wet weather. “Growers haven’t harvested anything like 50 per cent, of their crop either,” he said. There were indications early this week that the tomatoes were being seriously affected by the wet and humid weather conditions, for the fruit was split and waterv. Considerable portions of the consignments of tomatoes for canning and pulping were being rejected even as late as yesterday morning, and with the absolute saturation of the areas and the humid conditions prevailing, crops will be practically ruined. “Considerable losses will confront many growers,” said Mr Adamson, “especially those who have grown for canning and pulping. Very few indeed of them have picked even as much as half their crop as yet, and what’s left will not be fit for marketing.”

Growers of potatoes will be in much the same situation as tomato growers, for a number of crops will be ruined. “Those crops in the low-lying areas will almost of a pertainty rot in the ground after this latest downpour,” said Mr Adamson, “and it is quite possible that conditions underfoot will not allow for the digging up of other areas, with the resultant partial losses in the crop. Ground Crops. The future as regards other ground crops, particularly pumpkins, is uncer* tain and much depends upon the weather conditions. The present wet spell would not have any great detrimental effect, said Mr Adamson, but a continuance of damp and humid conditions would most certainly prove disastrous. In keeping with fruit-growers, stockowners have no wish for further rain. There is need for a hardening off, according to Mr J. W. Palmer, Agricultural Instructor, for the continuance of the wet weather meant keeping the food too succulent, especially for young stock. “A spell of real dry weather now would be very beneficial,” he said. “It would help to promote a good growth, and any regermination of the seed should do well and provide plenty of food and pasture for the winter.” As the ryegrass season is now practically over no injury or harm to this important industry would result from the further falls of rain. There is still a considerable quantity of clover to be gathered, however, but Mr Palmer does not anticipate any great difficulty in harvesting the crop, though too much more moisture was not desired. Maggot Flies. The possibility of au outbreak of maggot flies following the long spell of wet weather was mentioned by Mr. A. D. S. M. Laing, Government veterin* arian. “The present weather is helpful to a spread of maggot flies, the damp wool and wet conditions encouraging this pestilence, ’’ he said. “ There is also a possibility of pleurisy among some of the lambs, but actually the present weather is unlikely to have any real detrimental effect on stock, if reasonable care and attention is given to the animals.”