THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13097, 9 February 1906, Page 6

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

HEAVY RAIN IN CANTERBURY.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Christchurch, Thursday. The weather lias been, passing from bad to worse, and all hope of a bright warm summer is fast disappearing. Last week was gray and cool, with occasional rain, and on Saturday night heavy rain set in, continuing until Monday morning, and resuming again on Wednesday night with renewed vigour. To-day was warm but threatening, and no one dares hope for clear fine weather. Over two inches of rain fell in Ashburton between the hours of nine a.m. on Sunday and nine a.m. on Monday. Torrents of rain also fell in the districts nearer the mountains. Three inches fell at Hanmer between Saturday evening and Monday morning, and it is'stated that in Akaroa the rainfall during the same period amounted to close upon seven inches. Harvesting is at a standstill. The unseasonable weather will have a prejudicial effect on all grain which has already been cut. but on the standing crops the damage will not be quite so severe, though many crops have been laid. Potatoes have suffered most (severely. Fears are expressed on the peninsula that the continuous rain will injure the cocksfoot seed crop.