WELCOME RAINFALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20199, 8 March 1929, Page 12

WELCOME RAINFALL.

BENEFIT JO MILK YIELD. VEGETABLES FOR THE CITY. NEW IMPETUS TO GROWTH. Although the year's rainfall up to Wednesday evening amounted to only a very little over 2iu., pastures and stock had suffered little. The heavy showers which fell in the small hours of yesterday morning, however, added over half an inch to the figures and romoved immediate fear of a repetition of something approaching tho dry spell of last autumn. Yesterday's rains forged another link in tho chain of happy circumstances which have favoured tho current farming season. In tho main, the whole season has been favoured with a fairly well distributed rainfall, and it was only within tho past few weeks that any anxiety began to bo felt lest a dry autumn should in part mar the success of farming endeavour up to this point. The dairy yield is now past its flush, but the decline in production has been no more rapid than is normally the case at this season. Sheep and station cattle, robustly conditioned ever since they entered a kindly spring after a mild winter, never looked better, and sales figures remain at satisfactory levels. The milk yield will probably temporarily take an upward turn, and as a feeding medium cause a lessening of the great number of light porkers at present being slaughtered at freezing works, since many farmers will now bo inclined to hold them for later sale as baconers. Otherwise, the rain will have little effect on killing and freezing operations. In some quarters root crops had been affected in a greater or lesser degree by the lack of rain. These will now round off their finishing growth the more satisfactorily to carry stock through the late autumn and winter months.

From the city's point of view, the rain wards off a threatened shortage of vegetables. Although prices had not been forced up materially during the rainless spell, all green vegetables such as cabbage and lettuce, and even small roots, were becoming in limited supply. So far as the orchardists are concerned, the rain will have the effect of swelling the ripening apples to a satisfactory picking stage, although it may be expected to have an adverse effect on peaches. There will be a great deal of cracking of tomatoes, followed, probably, by a temporary shortage, but subsequently by the more rapid growth of later sorts. Apart from the purely commercial viewpoint, great benefit will be done the gardens and lawns of the city. In several centres in the province a shortage of water had been causing inconvenience, and half an inch of rain makes an important rise in the level of tanks and reservoirs. Mora would be welcomed by all sections of the community. Hamilton. —Heavy rain fell in the Waikato early this morning. The rainfall for the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. to-day was 1.24 in., making 1.44 in. for the past two days. The weather was fine this afternoon. The warm, steady rain has been most beneficial to the dairying industry.

FALL IN THE COUNTRY. PASTURES MUCH REFRESHED. STIMULUS TO DAIRYING. Rain has fallen over a wide area and brought relief to the sun-dried pastures of the farming lands. Domestic supplies also have been replenished in some country districts and the output of dairy factories will bo stimulated. The following reports were received from correspondents of the Herald last evening Paeroa. —Although rain has been badly want'>J in this district for several weeks the pastures are much fresher than at this time last year. A heavy shower early this morning and further showers this evening, were very welcome to residents of the country and town, where market gardeners have* been handicapped by the prohibition of the use of hoses. Ngatea.—Much-needed rain commenced late last evening and broken showers have continued throughout the day. A steady fall for 48 hours is wanted to refresh the sun-baked pastures. Settlers who had been compelled to rely on rainwater for domestic use have lately been carting water from nearby streams. To-day's fall has partly replenished many tanks. Waihi.—Following weather for two or three days the dry spell broke last night and from then on a warm rain has fallen with every indication of continuing. This will replenish tho rapidly diminishing town water supply which had fallen to such an extent that rationing was in sight. Of great importance to the district will bo the benefit to the pastures on the Waihi Plains. Less than 2£in. of rain fell during January and February and the grass lands had become very parched and butteu-fat production had fallen sharply. With tho change the dairy farmers are looking forward to much-im-proved returns for the balance of tho season. Morrinsville. —Several hours rain this morning was greatly appreciated by town and country residents, who are hopeful of its steady continuance. To Aroha.— Dairy farms in this district havo been greatly benefited by refreshing rain which has fallen intermittently sinco early this morning. Pastures on all sides were beginning to turn brown after an unusually dry month, and the fall will assist in maintaining the record output of the dairv factories. Thames.—Promise of rain last cvenftig was fulfilled early this morning when market and flower gardens were greatly refreshed by a fall lasting until noon. Rain was also urgently wanted on the neighbouring farms, where pastures were beginning to wither. Conditions to-night indicate a further heavy downpour. Whakatane. —After a dry spell lasting six weeks heavy showers of rain liavo fallen in tho Whakatane district. Tatimarunui- —Heavy rain fell yesterday afternoon and last night, and up to 9 a.m. to-day over one inch had fallen. The dry weather had caused the buttcr-fat production to decline, but the rain will increase tho supplies to tho dairy factories. A Press Association message from Hastings says a long spell of dry weather in Hawke's Bay was broken last night, when heavy rain fell for some hours. It was very welcome to farmers -and gardeners. The prospects arc for a further heavy fall.