IN THE WAIMEAS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 3 September 1934, Page 2

IN THE WAIMEAS

AN EARLY SPRING (Erom Our Own Correspondent) The wonderfully mild weather experienced dupingi-the past month is having a marked effect on crops and grass. The whole countryside has assumed the delieal’o green tint that tolls us spring is here. Willow trees are in full leaf while peach and plum trees are a blaze ot colour. That most beautiful of native trees the kowliai is a mass of golden blossom with tuis pouring forth their trills of melody as they fit from flower to flower sipping the sweet juices. A THOROUGH SOAKING No longer can complaint be made that the country is too dry. For the first time in years the ground has received a thorough soaking and springs are working at lull pressure. The subsoil is now so thoroughly saturated that it is most unlikely that any serious drought will he experienced during the /coming summer. , However, the continual wet weather has held, up farming operations, and now that more favour-able-conditions prevail farmers are making up for lost time and busy teams are to be seen on every hand CROPS GROWING WELL On the dry “plain” land the wet weather has favoured vigorous growth arid already some of the earliest sown .crops of oats are showing signs of. coming into ear. Whether they are successfully harvested, however, remains to be seen. Early sown peas have not been a success. Some of the very earliest were spoilt by the snow, while others which, a few weeks ago gave every indication of an abundant yield, are now looking , decidedly miserable. However, the latest crops are looking well, and with favourable weather conditions should be quite satisfactory, , but peas are a crop that will not stand up to, .continuous,' rain. The same applies to early potatoes which have also suffered from excessive moisture. NO SHORTAGE OF FODDER ' • - ■it Owing to the prolonged drought last summer and consequent light crops ,of .hay it was confidently anticipated that the winter would reveal a senous shortage of hay and other fodder. However, so mild has been the season that in many cases , farmers will have a surplus .to carry over till next year. The plentiful autumn rains stimulated the growth- of turnips and other root crops and these have assisted in cany ing stock through the winter ill fairly good condition. Dairy farmers are new getting busy and with anything like favourable prices can,look forward to a fairly successful seasdn —in any case it cannot be worse than that of last, year which will , be remembered, as one of the worst on record V