WAIMEA NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 February 1933, Page 2

WAIMEA NOTES

EFFECT OF THE FLOODS THE SILVER LINING Floods have been the chief topic of conversation during the past ten days and farms in the vicinity of the river between Briglitwater and the sea have suffered more or less severely. Many of the protective banks have been damaged, and repairs are being carried out with the utmost speed. Had it not been for the fact that these banks were in first class order, the Hood waters would have invaded a much more extensive area and appalling damage would have results. Even now the water damaged many hay and corn stacks. In the case of the former nothing, much can be done and more or less of the hay is rendered useless. However, corn stacks absorb the water much more readily and the sheaves heat rapidly. Jn this case the threshing machine is called in at once and the wet sheaves, if not too greatly damaged are stocked lip to dry. These are then re-stacked and later on are used for poultry feeding or other suitable purposes. A disturbing result of the Hood is the enormous quantity of gravel that has been deposited in the vicinity of the Appleby bridge. A few years ago the deck of the bridge was ten feet or more above the river bed, hut now it is no more than half that distance, and it looks as if it is going to he very difficulty to keep the river confined within its hanks in this locality. However every cloud has a silver lining and the country lias benefited enormously from the rain. The heavy showers experienced early in January gave the grass a good start, and the recent ruins' carried on the good work. There is now an abundance of feed and it is many years since the country looked so fresh and green in the month of February. It is hardly likely tliat another clry spell will he experienced this summer, and the prospects for the rest of the season are distinctly bright. Harvesting operations are now practically completed, most of the crops having been gathered in first class or - der. However, the later ones suffered some damage while those which were caught by the last rains were practically ruined. In many cases too the abnormally heavy rain penetrated the thatch and considerable damage was done in this way. In the drier localities the crops suffered from the dry spell toward tlie end of the year and tlie yield is light. However in the heavier Find the crops are well up to the average, while in the Appleby district as usual some wonderful crops have been harvested, and it is confidently anticipated that there will he record yields.