MORE RAIN WANTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21099, 5 February 1932, Page 8

MORE RAIN WANTED.

PASTURES VERY DRY

PLIGHT OF HAWKE'S BAY. SHORTAGE OF CATTLE FEED. A PLAGUE OF INSECTS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HASTINGS. Thursday. The dry weather during January has reduced Hawke's Bay to a very arid condition and the pastures have the appearance of being extremely dried up. The position, however, has not yet become disastrous and it will be. possible in most instances for farmers to hold cut for another three weeks or a month. Since the beginning of the year there has been very little rain, a total of only 1.13 in. having been recorded. This amount is quite negligible in consequence of the drying winds. Stock are looking particularly well, how. ever. Even the cattle are standing up to tho present conditions. Not since 1914 has cattle feed been so short, but the stock are still being kept in the district, which is a good indication that matters have not yet reached a very serious stage. The coastal districts south ot" Hastings are the principal localities to have suffered. There has been a serious shortage of feed for some time. The effect of the dry season has been very apparent further south than in previous years. This year the dry state of the land has extended as far south aj the Wairarapa. In January one day's wind alone parched up the country to a tremendous extent. One of the greatest setbacks the farmers have had is tho ruining of the crops by moths and butterflies. One farmer had 85 acres down in rape and in five days two-thirds of. the crop was ruined to t large extent. The diamond-back moth u responsible for the ravages, but the white butterfly also has helped in the destruction. When one walks through the paddocks they rise like swarms of locusts. The hot weather has been responsible for red mite being very prevalent on fruit trees and the foliage has suffered to » very considerable extent. In a number of places the pest is now under control and the trees are picking up. but their vitality has been affected. There have been no 6eriou.s results so far and the crops on the whole are developing satisfactorily. POVERTY BAY POSITION. RECENT USEFUL RAIN. GREATER FALL NEEDED. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] GISBORNE, Thursday. The rains experienced last week, particularly in northern and inland areas, gave welcome relief to pastoralists, freshening the pastures and replenishing the water supplies. The hot weather now being experienced, however, is drawing a good deal of moisture from the ground and a great deal more rain will be needed to make the position safe for. the autumn growth. While the pastures are quite adequate for the requirements of sheep, anxiety is expressed regarding the amount of feed available for cattle, which are carried in large numbers on many stations for the purpose of cleaning the country. Dairy production is being fairly well maintained. The maize crops have benefited greatly by the recent rains and are now making a good Hitherto, the farmers have had a substantial market for their surplw stock in.the Waikato and Canterbury, but the low prices prevailing offer little inducement for exportations this year, and the district will have difficulty in disposing of its surplus. LIGHT FALL IN WAIKATO. FURTHER DOWNPOUR REQUIRED. [from our own correspondent.] HAMILTON, Thursday. Light rairf" fell in Hamilton last even' ing and afforded some refreshment to the pastures.' It was insufficient, however, to be of great benefit. Only ,13in. was registered. The weather to-day is fine.