NORTH OTAGO RAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18296, 12 January 1923, Page 9

NORTH OTAGO RAINS.

TOO MUCH MOISTURE. | GRAIN CROPS AFFECTED. ' For farmers in North Otago to cry for dry and warm weather, and even some wind, is a somewhat rare experience. But that is the condition of affairs at present. The great amount of rain 'that fell in December, largely supplemented in many parts of the country by heavy downpours since the advent of the New Year, has left the ground thoroughly saturated with moisture. Then the muggy weather, with only short intervals of sunshine, has proved highly detrimental to the cereal crops. As a consequence of these adverse conditions, rust and the dreaded " take-all" have made their appearance in a number of grain fields,. and unless there is an early change in the climatic conditions the harvest, which promised to be fairly good, will be very greatly affected. What is wanted very badly is a good spell of bright, warm sunshine, with sufficient wind to dissipate the rust, reduce the excessive moisture, and harden the straw. The same revised conditions are also needed to give substance to feed, which has become rank in growth very generally, with a consequent lack of nourishing capacity.