RAIN NEEDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27514, 7 October 1950, Page 4

RAIN NEEDED

Spring Growth Retarded

The weather has been fine in North Otago this week, but the cold winds on the coast and frosts inland are retarding spring growth. The district is also badly in need of a soaking rain . Wheat.—The demand for seed wheat from the south has practically ceased. New season’s crops could do with a soaking rain. The forecast is that some local stores will be out of fowl wheat before the new harvest, and there is no advice of supplies from outside being received. Oats. —As there are large quantities of oats from early sales to be Shipped, both at Timaru and Oamaru, to the North Island—and prospects at the moment are very poor for getting them away—North Island merchants are not inquiring to any extent for further supplies. Good machine-dressed and clipped Algerians are in verv short supply, Vfith practically nothing offering. Chaff.—Because shipping space cannot be obtained, merchants consider it is futile making further sales in the meantime. Seeds.—There has been a better inquiry this week for Montgomery red clover and white clover, and there have also been odd sales of cowgrask. The retail demand for small seeds—which has been comparativelv good this month—would be stimulated bv a good rain. Merchants have been buying further supplies of clovers and ryegrass to supplement their stocks.