WELCOME RAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22256, 2 November 1935, Page 14

WELCOME RAIN

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS NEW LIFE FOR PASTURES YOUNG FRUIT DEVELOPING Tho general rainfall this week has boon welcomed in the country. Farmers, fruitgrowers,, vegetable gardeners and many others have all reaped great benefit from it and their hopes that it would be followed by warm siinshino have been fulfilled to n marked degree. Excepting that shearing has been seriously interrupted in some districts, the recent rains have been appreciated by all farmers. Pastures have been very slow in developing this spring and until two weeks ago there was little sign of growth. Paddocks normally closed for hay and onsilago were mostly left open and oven where they were shut there appeared a danger of tho grass running to seed rather than to leaf.

Now that the ground is well soaked and'warm days liavo succeeded the rains tho grass can almost bo watched growing and the fear of a shortage of extra feed —a real fear where most of the hay was used last summer and during tho long winter—can now bo said to have passed. Cutting operations will undoubtedly bo late, probably by as much as 10 days, but this presents no cause for complaint. Dairy herds have suffered considerably from shortage of feed of the right type for bringing cows to tho flush and higher yields are expected from now onward. As far as orchardists are concerned tho rain came just at tho right time. Ton days later it would havo interrupted spraying, but the present is to a largo extent a breathing space between busy periods. Peaches, nectarines and plums were all inclined to suffer from recent dry spells, but they should now develop splendidly. No damage is reported to applo and pear blossoms, as the storm brought no extreme gale to break blossom or young fruit. Strawberry growers needed the rain to build up their fruit, which is now ripening well, although this delicacy will be quite three weeks later in coming on to the market at a popular price.

"The present weather is made for vegetables," stated a gardener yesterday. "Everything is growing at a good pace and new plantings got an excellent start. Outdoor tomatoes which have been suffering from rough and windy weather, have now taken on a new lease of life."