DRY WEATHER NEEDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21991, 24 December 1934, Page 10

DRY WEATHER NEEDED

CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH HEAVY LOSSES OF HAY CROPS [from our own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Sunday The continued showery weather, accompanied by very hot, sultry conditions, is creating a very serious difficulty for farmers in gathering their hay crops. Following tho recent heavy floods, these conditions.make it impossible to carry on haymaking operations successfully, with the result that many hundreds of acres of hay have been ruined.

There have been occasional bright sunny days during the past ten days and several farmers have been induced to cut further crops of grass, only to have them damaged by the showery conditions prevailing. Many other farmers, who stacked their hay before it was sufficiently dry, have had to open up the stacks, or turn them into ensilage, to prevent them catching fire through spontaneous combustion. There is an unusual growth of grass and of all other plant and vegetablo life. Rarely, if ever, has North Auckland experienced a more prolific season. Along the roads paspalum grass is growing to a height of fivo and six feet. The humid conditions, however, are giving rise to blight, which is affecting a number of crops. Steady rain set in late last evening and continued throughout the night and to-day. Farmers, generally, would welcome a spell of several weeks' dry weather.

RAIN AT WARKWORTH HEAVY GROWTH OF PASTURES [FROM OUtt OWN C'ORHKRPONDKNI'] WARKWORTH. Sunday Steady rain fell in the "VVarkworth district yesterday and there were occasional showers to-day. Following a week of intense heat, the Rainfall will stimulate a further growth of pastures, which are already making better growth than is usual at this time of the year. (Jardons are also greatly refreshed and are looking well.