THE NEED FOR RAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19860, 2 February 1928, Page 12

THE NEED FOR RAIN.

NORTHERN WAIROA AREA. " LIMIT NOW REACHED." SETTLERS CARTING WATER. FLAT LANDS HOLDING WELL. [by telegraph.—-own correspondent.] DARGAVILLE, Wednesday. The weather, although a little cooler to-day, is still very dry, and the wholfe countryside is crying out for rain. The rainfall figures supplied by the local recorder, Mr. S. L. Spanheke, show that the fall for the past three months is the lowest recorded for fully ten years. In fact, fid settlers state that tliey do not remember when so little fell during the same period fcf the year. The pastures, which have lasted very well, are now showing signs $f the long dry spell, and with the exception of parts of the district where paspaium predominates the countryside is very bare. The flats at Ruawai, which are comprised mostly of drained swamp land, are holding out well, and the fine green fields of mown paspaium axe quite in contrast with those in the higher, country. However, in these favoured spots rain is badly needed for the Etock, as mosj of the running streams have dried up, and in many places cattle are being driven some distance for water. On many farms wats.. for household purposes, except where farmers have artesian bores, is becoming scarce, and in some instances near the borough water is being drawn from the borough supply and carted in tanks to the farms. As was to be expected, the output from the Northern Wairoa Co-opjrative dairy factory shows a decrease for the month of January, the first for the season. The figures are:—January, 1928, 281| tons; January, 1927, 290 tons. In 1927 January was a wet month. The returns for the season to date, however, show an increase, the figures being: 1927-28, 1*043 tons; 1926-27, 1301 tons. The returns from the Ruawai factory are expected to show a slight decrease for the month. There have been a number of grass fires in the district, but no serious damage, js reported. This week several bush fires could be seen in the vicinity of Tutamoe and the Tangihuias, but these are {>nly the seasonal burns, for which this season has been very favourable. Taking things generally this district has not experienced such a trying time as many others in the Auckland Province, but there is no doubt that 'the limit has been reached, and a regular downpour of rain for several days would be to the advantage of the whole countryside. POSITION IN WAIKATO. ONLY SCATTERED SHOWERS. AMPLE FEED AT RUAKURA. [BX TELEGRAPH. —OWN COP-RESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, "Wednesday. The effect of the dry weather ie very noticeable in the output of produce from Waikato dairy factories. One factory which was making 200 boxes of butter daily, at the end of November is now> manufacturing 110 daily. A record of .Bin. of rain fell at the Ruakura State experimental farm on Monday evening. In some districts within 20 miles of Hamilton no rain fell, while in others the rain was comparatively light. The conditions at Ruakura are very satisfactory, th«re being ample feed available for currentneeds and for the winter. FRUIT TREES . SUFFER. THE ORCHARDS AT THAMES. APPLES OF SMALL SIZE. [Bt TELECRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Wednesday. The continued dry weather is adversely affecting about 18,000 trees in the Thames commercial fruitgrowing area. . Mr. P. Everett, orchard instructor under the Agricultural Department stated this afternoon that mid-summer and' late varieties of apples were considerably undersized, as a direct result of the long dry spell. If rain does mi come soon, said Mr. Everett,, a large percentage of the Dougherty, Delicious and Sturmer varieties of apples will not attain sufficient size "to be marketable. The dry season has reduced the 3ize of the late varioties of peaches, but in another way has been a blessing in disguise, as it has prevented in no small degree the spread of brown rot, which has so far caused very little loss of fruit this season compared with previous seasons. The tomato-growers are also suffering considerably from the lack of rain. The fruit is very small, and where irrigation is not practised plants are wilting and matured tomatoes aro falling. RIVERS VERY LOW. PARCHED COASTAL LANDS. A REVIEW FROM WANGANUI. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.) WANGANUI. Wednesday. Throughout the dairying districts of this coast where pastures arc dry and parched rain is still anxiously awaited. Rivers aro lower than they have been for some years, and on numbers of forms stock are short of water. The country most affected is the coastal land from the Manawatu to Patea, the South Taranaki Province not suffering to such an extent. Up to a few days ago the milk production was keeping up well, but it has commenced to fall. Substantial reductions are now shown every day. On a few farms, however, lucerne and other fodder crops are saving the position, while others are keeping up the milk production by feeding out ensilage. The back country behind the coast is fairly dry, but there is still plenty of feed particularly in the Rangitikei district, between Hunterville and Taihape. Sheep and fattening cattle aro doing well in this country. The dry spell has proved useful to some back-country settlers, who have been able to burn oft scrub and rubbish on country which thcv have not been able to do anything with for years. The problem of second growth has in this way been solved for the time being. As far as root crops aro concerned, a great many sown after Christmas have failed to strike owing to the lack of moisture, and earlier sown crops, although hanging on, are showing signs of the heat. Swedes and turnips particularly, may go . out altogether if vain does not come sooti. Summed up, the conditions on this • oast are not as bad as in some other districts, although the fact must not be Jrst sight of that the milk produced eerier,illy is falling, and in a few cases difficulty is | being experienced in providing stock with I water.