OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 20

OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

(From Oun Own Correspondent.) A RETROSPECT. The year, while contributing the average 1 phenomenal rainfall in the Ashburton Clunty of 35 inches, has also furnished many instances of the vagaries of Jupiter Pluvius in other directions. At the beginning of the year the weather was of an exceptionally favourable character, and altnough -the end of 1911 was phenomenally wet, and considerably upset holiday arrangements, the conditions were altogether favourable for both agricultural and pastoral branches of farming. The cold and long winter and late and bleak spring were factors that militated against the success of farming in all its branches, and arrested the growth of cereal and forage plants in a very marked way, and was responsible for inflicting great hardships on stock ; but the whole c-f the summer months were ushered in and out in a most desirable manner, and the result was that the country made a wonderful recovery from' the effects of unseasonable weather and the presence of the grass grubs (which worked out of season), and the prospects at the present time for a bountiful harvest arc of the brightest. Those wh-> have resided in 'the county for a period of over 30 years know its geographical position, and the capabilities of its soil by methods of cl sc observation, are unanimous on the point that the visitation of insect posts and severe winter weather almost invariably increase the productiveness of the land and ensure bountiful harvests. Another outstanding feature in regard tp “a seasonable season' ’ is that it assists to materially decrease parasitic diseases; and, incidentally, it may be mentioned that the grass grubs, woolly, aphis, codlin moth, diamond-back turnip fly, hots, and other destructive insect life, wliile not being altogether conspicuous by their absence in the country this season, arc, fortunately, markedly reduced in number. The grass grubs, codlin moths, and woolly aphis, indeeed, have almost disappeared like magic. Those, however, arconly the deductions of close practical agricultural students, but when taken into full consideration there is much in them to support the theory that Nature adopts the most pointed and severe methods of asserting her rights, and, at the same time, correcting the mistaken policy of a largo number of our farmers, who will persist, more particularly when market prices are high, in prejudicially overtaxing the soil and sadly impoverishing its productive qualities without seeking by artificial meiins to partially restore the constituents of which it has been deprived by a rotation of crops, and administering a judicious and periodic application of superphosphates and other fertilisers. Seasons of adversity, therefore, while they inflict much financial loss and cause considerable hardship to stock and to the young farmer, are the means of administering unmistakable , object lessons that arc not easily forgotten by the wise. , WEATHER COMPARISONS. I The following table shows the actual monthly rainfalls as taken at the Ashburton Meteorological Station, which invariably strikes a fair average for the hilly country and the seaboard the two extremes ;

19§. Heaviest Fall of Snow. —July, 1910, Din. CEREAL CROPS AND PROBABLE FIELDS. Perhaps, with the exception of a shor* term at the beginning of the spring, when frosts were continuously heavy, tho cereal crops throughout tho whole country never received a check in growth, with the result that while the weather was not sufficiently warm to induce an abnormal growth of straw, tho plants took deep root, and the result has been that tho bulk of the crops, which wore running into tho shot blade at ,a time when refreshing rains wore falling. and have induced prolific bearing ears to form, and those have received kindly treatment at the hands of the weather gods ever since, so that crops giving a return much in excess of that of any ordinary year may bo confidently expected. Although there are indications from a point of disparity in the two classe of agricultural land, the yields in proportion will lie much heavier on tho lighter soils, the continuous rains having admirably suited that class of country. There are some pesimistically inclined, who say, with marked emphasis, (hat prospective yields should have l>cen more promising, but'those farmers forgot to fake into consideration that land which has been almost continuously cropped for 30 years cannot be expected to produce wheat yields of over 70 bushels per aero, and oats up to and over 90 bushels per acre, as was the case when the soil was full of vitality. I have journeyed specially through the majority of tho districts constituting the county, and from what I have seen and learned from practical men, I consider that on tho lighter lands the present harvest yields will roach ns high as 40, 50, and, in isolated cases, 60 bushels to the acre. Land worth £9 an aero is producing results caual to those received in tho past from land worth £4O an aero. Tho yields from 1 first-class soils should be fully six to eight bushels better than last year, and should ; prices be good (and there is every reason to expect they will), this season’s crops in : the Ashburton County will prove particularly profitable. There are indications, : however, that unless tho weather during tho next few weeks is warm and autumn-liko, that the samples of wheat on tho heavy lands will be somewhat shrivelled and con- ! tain an undue proportion of seconds; but j all tho oats promise to bo plump and wellii'ilecl. Then it should bo recognised that ow ing to a desire on the part of farmers to re-sow pastures that were eaten out by the grubs and the decimation of flocks, a much larger tract of country than usual had

s to be broken up last season, and the genI oral consensus of opinion is that the availj able output of cereals from the county this ! harvest, should nothing untoward occur | from now till the time they are harvested, will be the largest registered for at least j 10 years past, but owing to the precarious I character of the industry, nothing can bo I safely relied on until the grain has been ! carted to the merchants and the farmer ; has his cheque in his pocket. The writer had occasion in the early days to hoar an old and successful farmer remarking, as the last, sheaf was put in the stack, “Well, boys, a shower of rain will now do no man any harm.” | Leaving Ashburton, and driving through the Wakanui and sub-districts, one notices the smiling lields of corn waved by a gentle breeze, and it could bo seen from the road, under the circumstances indicated, that the crops were all thick on the ground and well-filled, and promised remunerative yields, although I have found unmistakable evidence of the harvest being a delayed one. In my opinion, general reaping under the most favourable circumstances will not t be in full swing till well on to the end of January, and in many eases later than that. Winter-sown crops appear to look the best, and, although, in some instances, there is a distinction between those and the_ early spring crops, some of those crops will give a return up to 48 bushels. There arc a»>me finely-developed crops of English rye-graas, and the stripping and the reaping of these will soon be put in hand. In common with other districts, a largo proportion of the hay has been ruined by the late December rains. All classes of crops on the plains districts, including Seafield, Pendarves, Dromore, Fairfield, and Dorie, will yield returns of oats varying between 30 and 45 bushels, and at Acton and around Rakaia yields may be 35 to 50 bushels. A few paddocks of oats here and there are ! reaped, but the remainder are quite green. One cannot fail, however, to note the pari ticularly fine strikes of root and fodder 1 crops all over the county, and the rapid manner in which they have advanced. I In all the upper districts, from the main trunk railway to the hills, some of which ; is magnificent country, the crops are all promising, although late, and practical men estimate that the yield, as compared with last year, will average at least eight bushels per acre more. These districts include Rokeby. Mariwiti, Barhill, Lauristoa, Lynd- j hurst, Winchmore, Mitcham, Springfield, Cairnbrae, Methven, Highbank, Corwar, Mount Hutt, Tinwald, Laghmor, Mayfield, Lismore, Valetta, Mount Somers, Spread ! Eagle, Greenstreet, Alford For:st, Stave ley, Wester field, Hackthorno, Ruapuna,, I Carew, Montalto, Ealing, Marcneui, etc. The productive value of the crops vary as a result of the pat c hy character of the soil; and it should be added that hundreds of acres in the wide strip of country cartending easterly from Westerfield to Mariwiti have been badly damaged' by a hailstorm that occurred about the middle of December. Many of these crops will not be fit for reaping, and stock have already boen turned in them. In other respects the whole of the country under review could, not -ook better, and the rapidity with which it has recovered from the visitation of the grass grubs is astonishing. Feed is plentiful, and it is hoped that much grass seed will be saved; stock are healthy, and in the pink of condition. On the heaviest country, §oniG of which has been farmed capably by practical men for many years pg,st, oats will yield as high as from 50 to 6J bushels and ivheat 40 to 48 bushels. Of course

there arc heavier crops, but returns lefcned to will not bo uncommon. Many of the root and forage crops present a pleasing and fresh appearance to the eye. . That large tract of magnificent agricultural country below the railway line, from the Ashburton to the Rangitata Rivers, is looking equally as well, if not better than other parts of the county, although in some instances the recent rains Imd down many of the heavier crops. Bright sunshine however, wilt do a . lot towards raising no a large proportion of these crops, which will be difficult to reap. It is iho*ro again noticeable tha«t the mediumclass lard is looking proportionately better than the heavy soils, but none of the farmers have anything to cavil at; as a matter of fact, thev all appear to view the coming harvest return with the highest and most confident expectations. ROOTS. There is an unusually largo area sown under potato crop. Blight has made its appearance, but not in any malicious form, and it is not expected to become widespread or to influence to any appreciable extent the quality or quantity of tubers. In

and around Rakaia a largo acreage of land under potatoes presents a veritable picture. Mangolds, turnips, thousand-headed ka.o, ra.no, silver beet have been extensively sown, and while some of the ‘ strikes are uncommonly thick, the healthful and deopgreen appearance of the whole is sufficient to inspire the hopes of the most dyspeptic pe-.Bimist. gHK p,p A y;]) LAMBS. All classes of stock, including sheep and lambs, have done remarkably well, and one wonders how they have so rapidly survived the rigours of an exceptionally severe winter and spring. Notwithstanding the large amount of wot weather, shearing i.s now almost completed, but farmers state that the feed will have to become much harder before stock comes to a full stags of maturity. The freezing works have been opened, but so far the number killed, in common with other parts of the province, i.s comparatively small. It is obvious, however, with the large amount of grass and clover feed on hand and a large arid luxuriant growing crop of rape, turnips, and kale coming on. that farmers will be. obliged to largely replenish their flocks as soorr as the first draft of lambs are got off. Indeed, feud Ls already going abegging. THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY. Incidentally it should be mentioned that the dairy branch of farming in the Ashburton County has been extensively developed since the corresponding period of lost year. Several creameries, a large butter factory at Ashburton, and a cheese factory (the latter built by Mr W. D. M'Lcan, Mount Hutt, at a cost of several thousand pounds) have been erected, while several hundred new suppliers, as compared with the number last year, have adopted this lucrative sidebranch of farming, but owing to the extremely succulent nature of the feed, which is now in abundance, the tests so far have not been high, but this has been more than compensated for by the additional supplies that have been given by the cows. Last week the Ashburton Co-operative Dairy Factory' manufactured 101, tons of butter, a record since the opening of tlhe factory, while two tons within a few pounds wore turned out in one day. A total sum of

£2OOO was paid out to suppliers during December, and) the profit per cow has in many cases averaged £2 per month. The Stavelcy Co-operative Dairy Factory Company is also having an exceptionally good season. What is now' required to improve •the tests is a w r eek or more of fine sunshiny weather to strengthen the milk-producing properties of the feed. To illustrate that dairying has paid in the county, and to show the extraordinary good character of the season, it should be mentioned that quit© a number of farmers on the lighter lands have been able this season to send supplies of milk to the creameries and factories. CONCLUSION. Adopting a much-used phrase, “everything in the garden is looking lovely,” and this can bo very truthfully applied to the agricultural and pastoral interests. Harvesting will not be in any way general, oven on the lighter lands, till about the end of the present month, but in the meantime stripping, and grass-seed cutting will occupy the attention of farmers’. Heavy, continuous rains have induced met and smut to appear in the crops, but so far tho damage effected by these diseases has not been large or disastrous. It is feared that further gloomy and wot weather would be responsible for inflicting much damage. It is, how'ever, hoped that nothing wdll occur till the harvest has been ingat.hercd to mar tho hopes of tho farmers or to minimise their promised richly deserved- reward) for their vear’s work and responsibilities of 1911. *The foregoing applies to the whole of Canterbury.

Rainfall Rainfall. 1910. 1911. January .. 8.87 2.39 February .. 2.40 2.15 March .. 2.27 0.25 April .. 0.80 2.40 May .. 1.02 1.51 J line .. 8.48 6.10 J uly .. 3.22 5.60 August .. 1.41 0.38 September .. 0.66 3,32 Oc toiler .. 0.40 1.92 November .. 2.04 2.81 December .. 3.17 C.GO 24.74 35.63 Highest Frost. —July, 1910, 17J; July, 1911,