OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3487, 11 January 1921, Page 11

OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

(From Our Own Correscondknt.) A WARM NEW YEAR. We thought that Christmas Day was a record for heat, but the New Year period quite eclipsed the Christmas season in that respect. On Boxing Day there was a very acceptable rain that averaged something like an inch over the province. Some places received a little more, some a little less. Unfortunately, nor’-west weather set in immediately afterwards, and the beneficial effects of the change were spoiled to some extent, though the shower did a power of good, especially to the rape and turnips. New Year’s Day was very hot, but Monday quite overshadowed anything we have had this season in the way of heat. In some parts tile shade temperature was over 100 degrees, and small fruits were baked on the trees on the side exposed to the sun. The heat was most trying to everything animate and inanimate. It seemed as it nothing could live in it. It is claimed by some the hottest day in the history of the province.* 1 That may or may not be. One remembers that in the past fruit has been baked on the trees, and the heat was so great that it was almost impossible to work. However,'sve want nothing warmer than our experience on New Year Monday. The inevitable change set in towards the evening, but it brought little rain with it. Only a few points fell. They did a great deal, however, towards reviving plant life, and the weather since has been cloudy and much cooler. The glass has risen, and it is probable that we shall have a spall of easterly weather, though there does not appear to be much rain about, GRASS FIRES. The country is now in a very inflammable state, and reports of grass fires are to be expected. On Monday a serious conflagration raged north of the Rakaia River, destroying the feed over about 100 square miles of country. Fences as well as grass were burnt, and some damage vvas done to buildings, though not much, thanks to the aid rendered by a host of willing workers. The change of wind in the evening stopped the progress of the fire more effectually than the efforts of the fire fighters, and it is very lucky that the wind changed when it did. Several homesteads were threatened with destruction, but they were all saved, thanks to the work of hosts of men, some of whom were attending sports and picnics when the report that the country was ablaze reached them. Everything is so dry now that the greatest care should be taken, especially by smokers, some of whom are not as careful as they should be at any time. A match thoughtlessly thrown down, or a cigarette end, even a spark from a p'ipe, might cause thousands of pounds worth of damage in a short time. The fire mentioned was supposed to have been caused by a spark frm a passing train. Crop near railway lines or roads and long dead gras3 are now a source of danger, and farmers should do all in their power to minimise the possibilities of fires. It is now some years since grass fires were common on the plains, and the fact that they are again in evidence shows that a drought is upon us in real earnest. Wherever possible fire breaks should bo made especially near plantations and homestead sites. The way in which everyone in the vicinity turns out to fight a fire cannot be too highly commended. Mon will travel many miles to help put out a fire, and they are prepared to work till the enemy is beaten. THE CROPS. Naturally, the” country is looking very droughty. The grass paddocks arc bare and brown, and the crops are turning in very fast. There is not much sign of green where rape and turnips have been sown, though the plants are there waiting for rain. Generally speaking, there has been a good strike in the root crops, especially where locally grown seed has been used. A good deal of harvesting has been done in connection with the early crops, and the main harvest is now practically upon us. •Stacks of oats are to be seen in the earlier districts, while many paddocks are in stook. Some of the earliest crops had to be cut on the green side in order to save them from the birds, and the weather could not have been bettor for drying them out ready for the stacking. All the crops are short in the straw this year, and most of the oat sheaves are full of grain right to the bands. They will make first-rate chaff. The late crops are out in ear now, and in most cases the straw is only a few inches high. It will be difficult to reap some of the paddocks, and in the worst cases the stuff may be turned into hay. Rain is wanted to help the late crons run up and to cause the early ones to fill. However, if heavy rain falls there is sure to bo a large amount of second growth in the earlier crops. These stooled out a good deal, but only a proportion of the shoots came away. These would now grow out and cause trouble if a wet time set in. The harvest should be quickly out of hand if the weather continues fine, and most of

the crops will be easy to handle. They will not bulk up much, being for the most part on the light side, particularly in the stdkw. Grass seed is now being cut, and there appears to be more of it about than was generally supposed. Some of it is not easy to handle, as it is thin and short. A quickstepping team and a binder in good order is necessary to cope with the grass seed under present conditions. The seed seems to bo good, and it will no doubt be valuable. Preparations are being made for stripping paddocks that have been lightly stocked, and which are not fit for reaping. The aftermath is coming away very slowly both in the grass seed and hay paddocks, and there will be little clover seed saved unless the weather changes. The rape and turnips are now practically all sown, and one hears reports of good strikes from all sides. Of course, the plants are not growing very fast, but they will last for some time in the ground. It is to be hoped that we shall get some rain soon in order to push these crops along. It is to be feared that some of the earliest rape sown will not "do much good. It has had a severe check, and it dees not seem to cover in the same way as turnips. A thicker seeding than usual of turnips is being put in because of the ravages of birds and flies. These pests are finding everything in their ■ favour. The plants are hanging back waiting for rain, and they are therefore an easy prey to theif hungry enemies. Swedes and mangels on ridges are growing in spite of the dry weather, especially where intercultivation has been freely practised. Potatoes are looking well, and all the crops look free of weeds. In the earlier patches second growth would set in if heavy rain fell; in some of the gardens where irrigation has been carried out recently second growth is very marked. It is a very busy, time just now. There is any amount of turnip-thinning and weeding to do, and some turnips still to sow, and the harvest is practically upon us. STOCK NOTES. In addition to the jobs mentioned above there is still some shearing to be done. Farmers have not been in a hurry this season to get the wool off, and they have been devoting their energies to team work for the past few months. However, it is now time that the wool is off, and the next week should see the bulk of the work done. Shearers are getting more plentiful than they were, showing that some of the bigger sheds are cut out. There have been some hindrancs on account of showers and drizzling rains, but for the most part shearers have had a good innings this season. They are now coming down for the harvest and or thrashing. Some of the mills are pulling out now for the grass seed thrashing. Lambs are not looking as well as usual owing to the dry weather; but, on the whole, stock is doing fairly well, especially where there is plenty of water. Weaning should take place any time now, but there are not many farmers who have the feed ready to put them on. The stubbles will not give much feed, and the rape is making little headway. Some of those who bought forward at big prices are not very hopeful of being able to find feed for their purchases, while those who sold are rubbing their hands, and congratulating themselves over their lucky stroke of business. The only way to keep the sheep going at present is to change them frequently from paddock to paddock so that the stock may get the advantage of clean feed as often as possible. This counts for a great deal. Sheep that are allowed to run over all the paddocks at their own sweet will are not doing nearly as well as those which are moved round periodically. Even if there is not bettor feed i.n one place than in another the change does them good. Water is getting scarce in the dams and gullies. Those who have water races to depend upon are very lucky. The milk supply has gone down during the last week or two, but the tests are better than they were, so there is no real loss in that respect. Some of the herds are bare of feed, but for the most part cattle are looking well. Overstocking has taken place in some cases both in sheep and cattle, and where this is the case the effects are easily seen. Where the animals are getting hard up it is difficult to keep them off the roads and out of the crops. As usual, there is plenty of grass along the roads, and it seems a pity to see if going to waste. It is all wanted, but straying stock on the roads is a great .nuisance. If the drought lasts much longer one will see mobs of cattle and sheep being driven on the roads for feeding purposes. If the animals are under proper supervision and control little exception can be taken to the practice i.n a year like the present-