THE COUNTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17092, 25 August 1917, Page 10

THE COUNTRY

EVIDENCES OF AN EARLY SPRING. COUNTRY UNDERSTOCKED. INCREASED AREA TO BE SOWN IN GRAIN. Throughout Otago and Southland there is ample evidence of a much earlier spring than usual, and the farming community is looking forward to another prosperous season. North of Dunedin grass is coming away well, this being particularly noticeable in and around SeocTff. On the Tokomairiro Plains stock are beginning to nibble at the young grass, which is always an evidence that drier feed, such as turnips and straw, are not so keenly sought after. In the Catlins district and the country lying- between there and what is known as the eastern district of Southland, grass has not, yet made much headway, although there is a noticdablo green tinge coming through the grey pasture. In the western district of Southland, especially near the sea coast and on l the Oreti flat, there is quite a' fresh bite of grass. Inland in both provinecs grass is not so far advanced, but the dull grey of winter is gradually giving place to the bright green of early spring. In most districts, but more partibularly on the Tokomairiro Plains and in Southland, turnips are still plentiful, and there do not appear to be any apprehensions among farmers regarding a shortage. In Southland, in particular the crops of turnips have been much above the average, and should grass come away as well" as present appearances indicate, many tons of turnips will have to be ploughed under to clear the ground for the succeeding crop, which, in most cases, will be oats. The majority of farmers, however, prefer to conserve their turnip crops until the last week in September, for it frequently happens that a cold snap is experienced _ during that month, and at that period this is very severe on all classes of stock. In some districts, notably Central Otago and the inland portion of Southland, turnips are not so plentiful, and some farmers are now without this indispensable winter feed. Fortunately not many stockowners are in this unhappy position. Stock have come through the winter splendidly, moro especially sheep,' and it is almost_ exceptional to see anything of a lowconditioned nature. This is particularly noticeable' in the different, saleyards, for when feed is scarce and stock come back in condition they are rushed into the selling market. But at the present time scarcely a pen of poor stores has been yarded at recent sales. The general opinion is that by the time shearing comes_ round (that is, of course, if climatic conditions remain favourable in the meantime) sheep will be shorn in good condition, and wool will assume that brightness so ple-asing to grower and buyer alike. The season so far has been conducive to the growth of the staple, and heavy clips are in consequence anticipated. Taken altogether, the farmers of Otago and Southland are understocked, even for this time of year, and there is not muoh prospe<jt of matters improving in this respect, as there I is every indication of a keen demand from I Canterbury for the next few months,' feed prospects there being unusually good. Can- ; terbury has, in addition, suffered a season's depletion of her live stock owing to drought experienced there during the past two seasons. As a matter of fact, an exodus of stock has already set in from Southland and | South Otago, so that there is every reason to suppose that feed will go to waste in the latter places during the coming summer. The early spring is hastening on the opening 'of dairy factories. The Edendale faotorv. which is the largest of its kind in the South Island, on Thursday last, and the intake of milk was quite up to expectations. Other factories are preparing to follow 6uit. In not a few cases additional vats have been put in, so that it need not be surprising! to see a substantial increase in the cheese output in Southland for the 1917-18 season. Cows are not looking too well, considering the abundance of feed and the excellent winter _ experienced. Good prices ruling for milk probably induced many dairymen to delay the drytng-off process too long into the autumn and winter months, and this may prove to have been almost akin to killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

Very few lambs have yet made their appearance, for lambing is not regulated by. the lateness or otherwise of the season. Paddock lambing., as a matter of fact, will not be general until the middle of next month. Lambs which • were dropped early in the present month are doing well, and as most of these are intended for the local butchering trade 'the j will soon be on the market. Ploughing is practically finished, with the exoeDtion of the turning over of land from which turnips are still being eaten off. Little or no gram has yet been sown, but a good deal of discing has been done preliminary to this operation. This is especially the case oil the_ river flats of Southland, and on the Tokomairiro Plains. The area to be sown in both wheat and oats promises to be greater than it has been for several years past. Autumn-sown wheat is at a standstill yet, but if the present open weather continues a perceptible growth will soon bo noticoablc.

Water is still lying on the surface of a large area of the flat country between Waihola and Henley, and it looks as if it will be several weeks yet before it will be possible to get teams on the ground, most of which is generally used for turnins. but is doubtless interned for a crop of grain during the forthcoming season.