OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3467, 24 August 1920, Page 11

OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

In tho beginning of August we had weather that we should have experienced during the month of July. Indeed the opposite might quite easily be said. During most of July wo had August weather. During the first fortnight of this month conditions were very wet and wintry. Very heavy rain fell, and snow was experienced right down to the coast. It did nob he, of course, down country, but tho hills got a heavy coating, and it will take some time for it to disappear unless some warm nor'westers come along.' The back country was covered to a greater depth than at any time during the winter, but it is stated that there is no harm done. The sunny facings are clearing slowly, and the sheep are nowhere hard up. Down country the Hat paddocks are holding large lagoons of water showing that a, considerable quantity of rain has fallen. On the downs the land is drying up now that fine weather has commenced. It is now hoped that we shall have a fine spell as there is a good deal of work to be done, and the land is wet enough to last for some time to come. Wo may, of course, expect changeable conditions during August, for that is characteristic of the weather at this time of the year, but we do not want more heavy rain for another six weeks or two months. Very hard frosts are being experienced, but that is not to be wondered at when one realises tfiat the mountains are covered with snow right down to the foot hills. FARM WORK. Tho teams have been able to do very little this month so far, and it is lucky that the work is so far forward. July was such a fine month that the teams were kept going almost without intermission. The result is that much of the crop that should have gone in during August, was sown towards the end of July, and it went in very well indeed. It is now showing up and if fine weather comes now it will bo well forward in a few weeks' time. On the other hand, the teams have been held up since the beginning of this month, with the result that those who neglected to make the most of the fine July weather now stand a chance of being late with their sowings. Turnip land intended for crop is very wet, except on shingle land, and it will be some time before the teams can get to work on it. However, it is felt that if the rest of the wheat can be get in this month matters will no be so bad. Usually some of the wheat sowing is done early in next month, but it is advisable to get it in this month if at all possible. All wheat should be above the ground by the end of next month. Barley, oats, and linseed may bo sown next month if there is not time to do so now, but wheat seed should not be out of the ground after the end of August. If more rain comes it is probable that some of the land intended for spring wheat will have to go into oats, and this would be a pity as it is not likely that, in any case, too much wheat will be sown. Other things are paying so much better, even with the prospect of higher values than have obtained during the war period. Dairying, for instance, is having a big run. Even on the wheat growing downs, where it was not thought dairying could be profitably undertaken,, milking: machines are going in and herds are being started. Of course, on the rich alluvial and swamp lands dairying has supplanted wheat for some time, but the conquest of the cow is still going en. It looks as if we are to become a dairying instead of an agricultural and pastoral people. Cows have risen rapidly in price during the last few weeks, showing that there is a big demand for them. Up to £3O is being given for cood young cows, and they are not easy to procure even at that sum. Those who sold at slump prices at the beginning of winter are now sorry that they did not hold on. It was thought by many that the winter would be a severe one, and that all the feed would be required to keep the sheep going. The winter has been one of the best on record and there are now plenty of turnips about. Indeed, on most farms the grass paddocks will not require to be touched for some time to come, This will give the grass a good start, and will ensure a good supply of the proper sort of feed at lambing time. A few lambs have already appeared, but the general lambing will not take place for anoyier month yet. All stock is looking well. The sheep have come through the winter in better form than for some years, and they should give a good lambing, and a good fleece afterwards. Some of the ewe 3 are too fat, but if they are given plenty of exercise from this onwards they should be in good fettle for lambing. The hoggets are in good nick, and as the green feed is coming away well, they, too, should some to the shearing carrying a good, heavy fleece. Their teeth are now going, and they should be closely watched.

All stock has risen in price during the hast few weeks. Ewes are almost a prohibitive price, and they are pulling all other classes of sheep after them. It looks as it there is plenty of confidence in the future of meat and wool. In fact, as far as meat is concerned it is believed that prospects are better than ever, and forward buying is going on as merrily as ever. It has also been reported that wool is changing hands at last year's values, and if this is true it is a hopeful sign. Draught horses are rising every week, and they are sure to be very dear before harvest. It looks as if they are in very short supply. There was very little breeding during the war, and now everyone intends to break up their grass paddocks in order to renew the run out grass. It costs a small fortune to set up a team with the high cost of everything, including machinery, harness, and horse feed. However, the new settlers find that they must break uo their paddocks at any price, and the old settlers realise that if they are to keep up production they niust renew their pastures. Of course, thero is more crop in than usual, but there will also bo an increase in the area put under rape and roots. Contract work is getting out of the question. Ploughing alone costs £1 per acre. Other operations nro correspondingly expensive.

The consequence is that fanners will not employ contractors, and they sre increasing the strength of their own teams.