WEATHER IN CANTERBURY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 21

WEATHER IN CANTERBURY.

HARVEST FORECASTS. CHRISTCHURCH, January. B. . Throughout Canterbury a lengthy period of almost rainless weather lias wrought great destruction to the crops and pastures, and the outlook is daily becoming less promising. Several times lately there have been indications of a change in the weather, but these promises of a break-up of the drought have not been fulfilled, and yesterday the thermometer registered 80 deg in the shade. As a result of the extremely dry weather during the_ past month the crops, particularly^ on the lighter and more porous soils, have ripened prematurely, and in these cases the grain will be light. On the better class of soils, however, the crops have come through the ordeal wonderfully -well, while, the gardens are not nearly in such bad condition as might have been expected after such a long drought. Grass paddocks are beginning to suffer severely, and some apprehension is beginning to be felt about the autumn feed. It is feared that a scarcity of feed during the next few~months may cause farmers to rush their sheep and lambs on to the market, causing an over-supply, with the probable result of a further drop j in values. I - CHRISTCHURCH, January 9. -I The drought has reached the stage of*

being a. very .severe menace 'to the prosperity of farmers. Harvest is in full swing, but the yield is very poor on light land, though a better one oh heavier soils; The greatest fear is for the feed, and tW prospects . for the' winter are discouraging 1 / as this is the second dry season. in succesi - sion. The shortage of feed may cause as over-supply in the sheep- and lamb marc ket, and a consequent drop in values/ which would be a severe loss -to farmers iij the present state of prices. The firmnesl of yesterday's wool, sales, however, maj be counted as compensation, and as thrf crop is not now, as in former years, th< farmer's sole reliance, the general pros{ perity < of the district may not bC dangerously affected. CHRISTCHURCH, January 13. Not for many years has there beep s<T prolonged a spell of rainless weather in " Canterbury as this season, and each successive day appears to be warmer than it* immediate predecessor. The crop 6 througnout the province have reached a stage when rain will do but little good beyond assist^ ing to fill , the late-sown wheat. For tur^" nips, ,rape, pastures, and gardens a copious, downpour is urgently needed, and it is als>^ wanted to save the green crops and ensur* feed for winter "" use. In many parts oi Canterbury the hot weather has literally, cooked the fruit on the trees, and it"' is certain that the season's yield . will . ba substantially reduced as a result of 'tho unfavourable climatic conditions.