SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 12

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Ook Own Correspondent.)

Febbuary 6.— The weather was very stormy from Friday eight till Sunday morning, violent

westerly gales and heavy showers of rain having been experienced. There was nofc much rain on Saturday, but a great deal fell during Saturday night and Sunday forenoon. As a consequence, the soil is saturated, and the rivers and streams swollen considerably, though not to such an extent as to cause damage to the crops on the fiats. As might be expected, the crops have been damaged, but not to suoh an extent as might have been anticipated. It was a fortunate circumstance that rain accompanied the wind, as gales in a dry atmosphere _ are much more serious than when there is considerable moisture. Although a good deal of grain has been shaken off the ripe crops the loss is not heavy, and there were nofc many crops ripe at the time. More damage has been done to thin crops and to heavy crops on the fiats, which have been badly laid. The effect of the wind has been to bend the crops and break a Small portion of the stem just under the ear. On the whole, however, the loss will probably be no greater than what is experienced almost every harvest. The weather has been very fine since Sunday afternoon. The crops are ripening, fast, the process being hastened through the loosening ofthe roots, caused.by the wind. A few farmers are reaping in some districts, and quite a number will be engaged at this work in all the principal districts towards the end of next week. Reaping will probably be general the week after next, if not a little sooner.