OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 20

OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

THE WEATHER AND GENERAL. Although the weather last week was continuously threatening for several days, comparatively little rain fell, the fall being limited to a few light showers, sufficient only to temporarily lay the dust. Drying north-west winds also prevailed, and the heat on Friday was very intense. Indeed, there is little or no moisture in the surface of the soil, and land that was brought under cultivation and sown in the spring after the heavy rainfall has become almost as hard as brick. 'The absence of rain and the continuous dry weather is beginning to have a serious effect on all classes of crop and pasture, and grass land is being ploughed in preparation for turnips and other fodder crops only with much difficulty. Early-sown wheat and oat crops are beginning to assume a yellowish hue, while spring-sown cereals are making very slow headway. Although stock feed is not by any means scarce, still by way of comparison it may be mentioned that there is not half the growth there was at a corresponding period last year. Should the present weather continue much longer, there are indications that feed will become very short before the beginning of December. Last year a record quantity of hay was saved, but the prospects for even an ordinary amount being mown this year are at the present time very remote. Agriculturists and pastoralists invariably look forward to a fine and vigorous growth of feed and crops during October, but this year the month referred to has almost gone and the progress made by both crops and pastures has been most unsatisfactory. One does not like to sound a pessimistic note, but, nevertheless, except in swampy country, the land is daily becoming more E arched up, and consequently farmers are ecoming apprehensive. There is one consoling fact, however, and that ie if rain falls before the expiry of the present month the country will soon right itself. If the quantity of feed is not so large as farmers would desire the qvality is the best, and as a result of this all classes of stock have made remarkable progress, and have put on condition in an astoundingly rapid manner. Lambs and other young stock have grown like mushrooms, and in addition to this they are healthy and strong. Farmers are busy men, and the cycle of seasons come and go and they seldom, if ever, have periods of leisure. No sooner has the work of ploughing and sowing the land been completed than they have to direct their attention to the shearing, and when that important work has been finished there is the preparatory work for harvesting to attend to. Like newspaper men, they have their noses continually on the grindstone. Shearing has now commenced on the flat country, and should the present weather continue the breeding flocks will be shorn much earlier this season. Although the yoke in the wool is not yet up, still its condition is good', and the weight of the fleece's is altogether satisfactory to flockowners, and the wool is generally better than it was at an early stage of the season last year. During the present week shearing will be in full swing, and there arc indications, too, that shearers will not bo as plentiful as ’ they have been in past years. Apropos the shearing, it may be mentioned that the award under which the men arc now working will expire in December next, but there does nor appear to be any likelihood of any industrial strife arising in the immediate future. Shearers are in a position to earn good average wages, and the accommodation and food supplied them are generally satisfactory. _ There is very little change to report m respect of the stock market, and prices for all classes of stock are at such a level as to prove remunerative to owners. _ Several large linos of hoggets have been imported into the province from sources both norm nnd smith, and the demand and price fo.r this class of stock are improving; but if feed prospects become more favourable it will be some time before anv great dealing among sheep occurs, for the reason that owners are anxious to participate in the •veol sales, and the price of that product, promises to open at a very satisfactory level. The late frosts d : d not have such a harmful effect on the fruit crop as was at first anticipated, and there is a. particularly fine showing on stone-fruit trees, cherries being very prolific. Blackbirds nnd thrushes, however, are now so numerous that unless 1 „J. te crvmtl.mesli wire Tietiinjr it is almost impossible to save anv of the fruit. This year owners of orchards in all parts of the province have erected protection •screens over their trees, the cost ranging in many instances up to £3 per tree. Although the initial expense is comparatively high, the fruit, saved soon pays fn’- the outlay. The possibilities of the Lobnrn district (Vonth 'Canterbury) w’ f h its excellent soi' and close subsoil, well suited for fru‘t growing, are now being discussed in view f the rapid extension of nnply-growing The productivity of the district has been well .ascertained in certain small orchards and a question arises whether more nttenfinn should be given to one of the mo--t profitable industries of the Dominion. The Government fruit expert is being invited to report on the matter. It is stated that fairly favourable conditions are prevailing in the most northern of the nrov’ncc. Feed is rdentitel and crons are looking well. Stone fruit has ="t without, -anv check from frosts, nnd mu*oqfjors point to one of the most favourable seasons experienced vet. The recent rains have also put the beekeepers in good srvp’ts. as their clover crop is now assured. B : g lambme averages are the rule in Qmi+h Canterbury this season. Mr ,T. whose farm is about five miDc from Timaru. brought ROD ewes from the ITadlow Estate In the winter, and they have had

135 per cent, of lambs. A great many farmers have 100, 110, and up to 120 per cent.