URGENT NEED OF RAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20422, 26 November 1929, Page 10

URGENT NEED OF RAIN.

PASTURES IN CANTERBURY.

CROPS IN POOR CONDITION.

PROBLEM OF FEED FOR STOCK.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday,

Cereal crops throughout Canterbury are reported to bo in poor condition as a result of tho prolonged spell of dry weather. The rainfall for tho present month is tho lowest on record since 1916. Scattered showers have fallen on six days during November, and the amount of rain recorded at tho Christchurcb Observatory so far is only .42in. In tho North Canterbury districts crops are backward and heavy rain is urgently needed to bring them to maturity. Crops in the lighter lands are showing heads of grain and rain at this juncture would mean aliV the difference between poor and good yields. Light showers in some parts have improved tho farmers' outlook, but a general soaking of tho crop areas of the wholo province would result in a tremendous amount of good. The sowing of root crops, has been com-mencn-1 in the heavier soils, which are able to hold what moisture has fallen, but it has not been possible to sow turnips and other late crops in the lighter country.

Pastures are showing the effects of the dry Bpell and the problem of providing feed for stock threatens to become acute.