DAMAGE TO CANTERBURY GRAIN CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13398, 29 January 1907, Page 5

DAMAGE TO CANTERBURY GRAIN CROPS.

A DESTRUCTIVE NOR'-WESTER,

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN' CORRESPONDENT.]

CrfßisTcrrt'Rcn, Monday. In the North Canterbury district the bulk of the grain crop is in stook, waiting for the threshing machines. The machines are in turn awaiting the distribution of cornsacks, which have been late in arriving. The wheat is well developed, and of the required dryness for good threshing. Reports from Kl'esmere show that last Tuesday's nor'-wes-ter was disastrous to the crops. The district lost heavily in wheat and barley, and one farmer is estimated to have lost 1000 bushels of wheat, valued at £150. One paddock containing 20 acres of barley was, with the exception of a few heads, absolutely stripped. This paddock was practically green on Sunday, and, with another 100 acres, was ripened by the wind on Monday, and the barley destroyed on Tuesday. The owner estimates Ids loss at about £200. A third man lost about 1000 bushels of barley, and estimates his loss at about £200. Before the nor'-wester all the crops in this portion of the district were averaging ibnut 35 bushels to the acre. Some of the pea crops, which were cut, were blown about, but the loss will not be very great as the pigs can be put into these paddock? to feed on the loose p;as.