REFRESHING RAIN FALLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20114, 27 November 1928, Page 8

REFRESHING RAIN FALLS.

GREAT VALUE TO DAIRYING. VEGETABLE CROPS BENEFIT. Pastures of the province will, respond actively to the heavy rain which fell yesterday morning- To strawberry growers, market and household gardeners, the ra;n was particularly helpful. Tho fall of .82in. of rain for the 24 hours ended nl nine o'clock yesterday morning was supplemented between then and midnight by a further .15in., bringing tho total for the month to date to 1.70 in., and that for tho year to 53.08 in., compared with tho average of 43.88 in. At this time last year, which marked the beginning of tho dry summer spell, there had been only 1.34 in. in November, and the total for tho wholo mouth was only 1.57 in. The absence of any substantial rain within tho past week or two had begun just perceptibly to affect tho dairy yield, but pastures in the main have mado uninterrupted and record growth through tho winter and spring. It is at this stage of tho dairying year, when production is about tho flush, that occasional soaking rains mean thousands of pounds to the province. To the market gardens the same thing applies. Tho topping off of fast-mataring vegetables requires just such an aid as was given yesterday morning, and young plants will be given an impetus in growth. Strawberry crops, which will attain their zenith of production within two or three weeks, are highly sensitive to rainfall, and tho larpe areas at Birkenhead, Northcote, Birkdale, Glenfiekl and out toward Blockhouse Bay will reap a generous benelit. Tho rain was also welcomed an a freshening influenco on bowling greens aid tennis lawns. The fall in tho Waitakore lianges was very light and could have little effect upon tlio city's reservoirs, but tho storage position is perfectly sound and far better than, was tho caso (his time last year. Tho demand upon tlio supply created by tlio uso of hoses in tho city will, however, be very greatly eased during tlio next few days. POSITION IN WAIKATO. STIMULATION OF PASTURES. [BY TKt.EGBAPH. —OWN COTUtESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON. Monday. Rain fell in Hamilton and tho surrounding districts this morning for about four hours. A total of 0.42 in. was recorded. This was the first considerable fall for a fortnight and was welcomed by farmers. Pastures generally throughout tho district have been in splendid condition and tlio timely downpour of rain will stimulate tho growth of grass. Steady rain set in thin evening.