SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3278, 10 January 1917, Page 9

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The weather conditions have been such dur-

The Weather and the Farm.

ing the past few months as to cause no little concern to the farming community in Southland. The absence of rain has brought about a con-

Icim ilab Uiuuyilt ctUUUI u. coildition of affairs which almost borders on a drought—at least, that is the view that farmers in Southland are disposed to take of the situation, although, if farmers could only see what a drought means in Australia or in North Otago for that matter, they would cease to characterise it by any stronger term than a dry spell. True, a soaking rain is badly needed, especially on the light, ridgy land situated inland. High country, too, has assumed a burned-up appearance. Crops, which promised well even up to a fortnight ago. are exhibiting unmistakable signs of the absence of rain, and are coming out in ear prematurely. This state of affairs is, fortunately, not general; and, while the grain crops will all bo more or less affected by the condition of affairs existing, the bulk of the crops are looking remarkably well. The rain which fell on Friday afternoon and night was general, but, unfortunately, it was insufficient. I have not hoard ' hat the actual quantity was, but. comparing it with the 80 odd points recorded in mid about Dunedin, I should say that it was about bO points; certainly not more than 70. The turnip crops are probably suffering most

from the dry weather, especially those sown during the past three or lour weeks. Agriculturists have experienced some little difficulty in working up land for turnips this year, with the result that the fine mould so essential to produce a good " strike " has been difficult to secure. The popularity of the ridger in sowing turnips can readily be accounted for. as there is no question as to which method—sowing on the flat or in drill—gives the greater quantity of feed per aero, not forgetting also the all-important advantage the latter method has when it comes to feeding-off in a wet winter; but those who have sown on the flat this year have got by far the best " strike."

The subject of weather is an interestingnrncont innnt-m«A

Weather in 1916.

one at tno present juncture, and anything which has a bearing on climatic condi*

tions is read and discussed with avidity by those who are directly interested in agricultural and pastoral pursuits. The records for the past year, taken, at the Gore meteorological station, have just been published, and make interesting reading. These show that the approximate mean temperature for 1916 constitutes. t, record for heat since Gore was appointed a chief meteorological station in 1908 —nine years ago. The average temperature for 1916 was 50.55dcg, against 49.15 deg the previous year, or 47.95 deg in 1912. The warmest month was that just closed, with a mean of 60.68 deg. Wo have to go back to February, 1910, to find a high figure. In that month 60.57 deg was the approximate mean. July was the coldest month last year, the moan being 38.93d0g, which is not unusual, although it is unusual for that month to bo colder than Juno. The mild, late autumn was the outstanding feature of last year’s records. In April the mean was 51.2 deg. as compared with 48.1 deg in 1915 anq 48.8 deg in 1914. The hottest day during the year was January 18, when a maximum shade temperature of 89deg was registered, and the coldest nights wore those of June 2 and August 1, with lOdeg of frost recorded in the screen. The first frost occurred on March 28, and the latest on October 1. The rainfall was very evenly distributed over the year, although extended dry periods wore recorded during the middle of May and during the latter part of last month. Tho rainfall in December amounted to .87, as compared with 2.60 ior tho same month in 1915 and 3.44 in 1914. The total for the year was 32.63, against 34.00 in 1915 and 38.89 in 1914. The records, which cover a period of nine years, show that tho wettest year during that period was in 1913, when 52.28 in of rain fell, and tho driest in 1911. when 25.67 in was registered. During 1916 rain fell on 170 days, as compared with 219 in 1913. Tho heaviest recorded rainfall on any one day during 1916 was 162 points, which occurred on March 27. Tho first Invercargill wool valuation is now ■well nrlvaneerb Values as-

Wool Valuation.

well advanced. values assigned throughout the valuation so far have been most

satisfactory, and the South* land record of 20|d per lb, established at last May’s sale, has been broken. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. report having sold three bales of halfbred hogget, on behalf of Mr Alex. Charleson, of Eyre Creek, at 22d per lb; and the National Mortgage and Agency Co. secured 21£d for one of their clients, and other firms also report high figures. It has to be remembered, too, that bv the time the valuation is completed it is qu'te possible that the splendid price of 22d will have been surpassed. W hilo tlmso values are ruling for the top grades, the prices for the lower and average grades are well maintained. In comparison with ihe prices ruling at last January’s sale, super halfbred is now bringing about Id more. Super Romney and crossbred hogget prices are practically on a par with last January’s, while those offering for fine crossbred owe wools are hardly as good. Heavy-condi-tioned wools arc lower by about Id per lb, with mated and dingy down from Id to Ud. Pieces and bellies are about equal in value to what they wore a year ago. Brokers fully expressed themselves as surprised and delighted with the valuation prices. They said that they exceeded their most sanguine expectations. One agent even went so far as to say that ho was convinced that an auction sale this week would not have returned growers prices so good as those which the Government was offering. Fanners have 48 hours in which to accept or appeal against the Government valuations, and it is not anticipated that the number of appeals will be sroat. although some erowera have signified their intention of objecting. Both valuers and brokers are of opinion that the quality of the wool is hardly up to last season’s, the bulk of it being rather short in the staple.

All tho dairy factoring aro nffocfod hv the nrovailintr drv wonthpr. Tho

Miscellaneous.

nrrvnmiiLr my ana Mcnzio’s Ferry faetorv may bo cited ns an indication of

UU UJIiCU 0-11 1 tho general condition, the daily intake prior to tho rain ‘being' 3060 gallons. On Janunrv 11 a year ago it was 3600 gallons.—The Wyndhnm Herald states that one notieeabla effect of the drv weather is the of the roads. The rapid motor traffic, acting on the dry surfaee, has sucked out the packing in manv cases, leaving the surface bestrewn with loose mefal. This becomes detrimental to rubber tyres of .all kinds, and the angular stones are sore on horses’ feet. "Rain ff! needed to consolidate the roads .again,—• IHegrass crons are looking r::ef rationally wdl anil, n'theii-.’i fh.-v am later than usual, the general opinion is that the yicW

will bo well up to, if not better than, the average. —The c.! eeso congestion at Bluff, which had reached an acute stage, will be afforded somo relief shortly. The secretary of the South Island Dairy Association has been advised that Bluff has been allotted space on the Tainui and Rotorua for 13,350 crates. Both these vessels are expected at Bluff in about 10 days' time.