WELCOME RAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 14

WELCOME RAIN

SURFACE SOFTENED DRY GISBORNE PASTURES DAIRY OUTPUT AT LOW EBB FALL IMPROVES THE OUTLOOK [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] GISBORNE, Tuesday Farmers of tho Gisborne district were overjoyed with rain which commenced yesterday and continued during the night, this being tho first fall of any consequence for four weeks. The rain was not as heavy as many would have wished, tho total being .77in., but it was sufficient to penetrate and soften the surface and to promote now growth in pastures.

During tho past four weeks drying winds and high temperatures had hardened tho surface of the ground to an extent seldom known in tho Gisbomo district. Last night's rain will help to undo much of tho harm and, although tho rain was accompanied by a cold snap, grass will be ready to shoot away to good growth with tho first burst of warm sunshine.

Up to tho present, dairy production has been at a very low ebb during tho present season, and is from 30 to 40 per cent down on the output for tho corresponding period last season, and only about half tho total of two years ago. However, a rapid increase can bo oxpected from now on, unless further dry weather follows. Gisborne has seldom had such a lean period for pasture growth during tho spring. The laßt rain of any consequenco was 1.06 in. on September 26, and from that timo onward there was a rapid drying out of pastures.