DROUGHT IN THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15767, 16 November 1914, Page 10

DROUGHT IN THE NORTH.

ANXIOUS TIME FOR FARMERS.

[by TELEGRAPH.—OWN" COBEESPOXDEXT.] Wbaxgakbi, Saturday. The period of dry weather which the district is passing through is causing the inning community great anxiety. A prominent settler expressed the opinion today that 75 per cent, of the crops of meadow hay had failed, also 90 per cent. j( the oat crops. The latter are now running to seed, although on an average lie stalks htfve not reached a greater height than 9iu. Many settlers are turning cattle into the standing oats to fed them off, as it is realised that there- are no prospects of the crops being cut lot chaff. There is still a good deal of feed for stock, as of late the pastures have been refreshed with heavy dews at uight, but there has not been sufficient penetration ni moisture to help root crops. The hilly country, however, is beginning to display (he unmistakable brown tint, which betokens "rolonged dry weather, and the frtato of affairs is reflected in. the fact that ram return* are falling off. At present many settlers are carting water for both stock and household needs.