NEED FOR RAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21758, 24 March 1934, Page 10

NEED FOR RAIN

CONDITIONS IN WAIKATo PASTURE GROWTH RETARDED • ■ „ EFFECT ON MILK SUPPLY [from our own correspondent] . '.V.HAMILTON, Friday ' With 23 days of the month of March ' passed, the rainfall for the period .in C(g Hamilton has totalled only .73in. The average rainfall for the month is 3.40 in. The of rain, extending over several weeks, causing serious concern among dairy farmers. Pastures are '4 drying up rapidly and in many districts* are becoming parched. - Crops of maize have been destroyed by early frosts, and hay and which had been conserved for winter use ; are being broached to supplement the supply of turnips and the little grass i that" is still available. The Waikato pastures need rain frequently, especially in the late summer, and drenching warm rain for several days is now wanted to restore growth - and extend the supply of milk. During, the last three weeks cowa have been drying off rapidly, and the present prospects are that the dairying season will be considerably shortened, v

The prolonged dry spell is having an adverse effect on metalled and sanded roads, which are seriously deteriorating in the/ absence of the binding effect of moisture. Clouds of dust are raised by motor traffic and find their way into neighbouring farms. Another effect of the dry weather has been the prevalence of swamp fires at Ruakura and Rukuhia. These fires, while doing no actual damage to property, have caused dense clouds of smoke, which have hung over Hamilton and the neighbouring districts, affecting visibility, especially in the mornjngs, when fogs have been prevalent.