CANTERBURY AGRICULTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2162, 1 August 1895, Page 23

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURE.

(Fhom Our Own CoiuiHsroNDENT.) Christchuhcii, July 31

This week's snowstorm is the climax to what was already the worst winter yet experienced in Canterbury. Some of tho high shesp country has been under snow since Easter, aud nearly all of it has been to since the bagianing of June. It is estimated that from north to south on the main range not lesß than two millions of sheep are either burieJ, or. what is worse, deprived of food the snow ; and, at the lowest estimate by tho*-e who know the country, and how tenacious or life sheep arc, fully half of these must have perished, besides the lambing being disastrously affected. The present storm, for it is not past yet, has been the worst of the winter for tho plains, its bitter, driving bhowers of bleety snow being death to lambing ewes and their young. For a few days la t week the plough and drill were going, but all farm woik i 3 again slopped. Freezing sheep Bold well at Addington to-day, but second-class muttou was lower by Is to Is 6d in a heavy entry. Good, sound store 3 and breeding ewes have been very firm at all this week's markets.

There is fresh inquiry for wheat, and every indication of firm or higher price 3. Oats also tend higher.