OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 19

OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

(From Ocr Own Correspondent.) j December 30. ! In common with other parts of the Dominion, tho weather during the past two weeks has been unparalleled in the history of the province. The rainfall has averaged for tho month of December 6.50 in; while during the present week in some parts an average of 3in fell on Thursday night and Friday. The average for the province will easily exceed 37in tor the year. The phenomenal rains of Thursday night and Friday morning caused heavy floods in tho rivers, such us have not been experienced for at least 20 years. A good deal of damage has been done on the lowlying portions adjacent to tho rivers, and fences have been washed away, a few piles removed from bridges, and slips on banks of rivers. Comparatively few stock have been lest. In other ways, however, there is every probability of tho agricultural interests being prejudicially affected. For instance, shearing has been seriously delayed. Cereal crops in swampy country have been badly lain. Rust and smut have made their appearance in a marked form, and Jiay crops (which were exceptionally prolific and three parts actually mown) have boon destroyed. In any case, tho hay 'crops will have to be removed from the surface to permit of the clover shooting up. Saturday was particularly fine, and summerlike, but towards tho evening ominous clouds banked up, and tho prospects of a continuation of seasonable weather aro questionable. ! Very little cereal crop has so far been reaped l , and/ as a result of the weather during the past two weeks the harvest will be further delayed. If the weather does not continue warm, with a bright sun, there is a prospect of many of the lain crops not maturing. However, this is only speculation, and farmer's aro sincerely hoping that W'ith such a fine growth of all classes of crops that the weather will hold good, and insure one of tho finest harvests experienced in the province for many years pwst. Grass is more than plentiful, but lambs have not done too well during the past two weeks. The freezing works will bo in full swing during the next week, and a fairly largo number of dry, shorn owes, wethers, and lambs will keep the butchers going fairly consistently for several weeks.