SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2250, 15 April 1897, Page 14

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(Fhom Otjb Own Coekeseonbent.) April 12. A yiolent north-westerly gale blew here last Saturday afternoon, and yesberday also the nind blew with considerable force. Bags of oats Btacked in the paddecks were in many cases stripped of their covering of straw, and stooks were levelled to the ground. The wind has done much good, for there is a deal of crop still in the stook which was likely to be seriously discoloured had the calm, muggy weather continued. The barley grown here this season will probably only be fib for horse and fowl feed, and much damage has been done to the wheat, a good deal of which is still in stook. It is probable that half the oat crop in Southland will be discoloured this sesson. It is to be hoped that the weather will continue dry for a week in order that the crop still in stook may be stacked in good condition. Oats rose as much as 3d per bushel during the past week, Is lOd having been paid in some cases for bright samples of sparrowbill at the sidings. Farmers are very uncertain whether to sell much at present or not, and there is nob a great deal of carting being doce. At one time the oa f s were rushed on the market after threshing whatever the price might be, and it is possibly owing to an improvement in the financiil position, of farmers that «v wiser course is now followed.