RAIN STIMULATES GROWTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19891, 9 March 1928, Page 10

RAIN STIMULATES GROWTH.

RECOVERY OF PASTURES.

GOOD OUTLOOK FOR WINTER.

The wonderful power of recovery of pastures in the Auckland Province has been well exemplified in the past few days. The response to the stimulus of the warm rains has been phenomenal. The landscape which, under months of burning sun, had become brown, and in places bare, is again putting on its fresh green coat. It is like a transformation scene in Nature's great pantomime. The rapidity of growth of the pastures and fodder crops also guarantees pastoralists against a dearth of autumn and winter feed. The rain came on soil sweetened and warm after a dry summer, and moisture combined with warmth are the two great essentials of growth. The splendid spring of grass that has resulted will help compensate for the raids made on reserves of hay and ensilage during the dry spell. A continuance of warm weather and absence of frosts will be of incalculable benefit to flocks and herds, permitting them to build up in condition for the winter. And to winter well is half the battle if cows are to be fit to do their part in the new dairying season opening in July and August.

Suburban residents are also rejoicing in the changed fortunes of their gardens. "You can almost see things growing," they declare, and it is true of seeds planted after the rain of less than a fortnight ago. Some optimists even planted French beans and the warm seed bed promises tliafc hope may be rewarded before winter sets in. Generally gardeners are taking advantage of the- favourable conditions to plant cabbages, cauliflowers, leeks and other standbys for winter and spring use. The demand for plants and seeds at the florists is stated to be phenomenal and if the autumn is not too harsh the feared famine of vegetables will not be so acute as was expected. The rain represents, of course, more than household economy to market gardeners. It will be a month or two before supplies are back to normal at the markets,- but the recent rains have guaranteed the future of later crops.