SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 10

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The spell of very fine weather experienced had a most wonderful effect on all crops, as also on the pastures. The crops were brought on rapidly, arid the fine showery weather following produced changes rapid and striking. There has been a great improvement in the general appearance of the country. No crop has benefited so much as the turnips, and the fine crops to be seen on all hands is very encouraging. It is seldom we have, the turnip crop so far forward and looking as well so early. There is not a single brown or yellow leaf to be seen, and every appearance of a strong and vigorous growth. There seems also to be more evidence of good husbandry throughout the country. There has been a great improvement in, the implements which is conducive to better cultivation, and granted the season being favourable that will tell. Even in ridged crops there is not so many weeds seen, but whether this is to be attributed to the rapid/ growth or to better cultivation it would be difficult to say. The ragwort, where sheep are not depastured and cattle only grazing, makes' the paddocks in some districts have an unseemly and neglected appearance. A second growth of grass, looking healthy and green, particularly in dairying districts, has* improved the position very muon of late. It will not now improve the milk yield, excepting where there may have been late calvers. Still the cows get the benefit, and by improving in condition come all the better through the winter. If it were not that the grass has freshened up and improved considerably there would be evidence of overstocking. It is graftifymg to note how well stock is looking. Not sneep only, but also cattle. Where the crops are light or only an average crop can now he spotted, very much has depended upon the . amount of rainfall, but not so altogether in the Five Rivers district, where the ground is naturally dry. W ith good showers at a critical period, the grain crops are now cutting fairly well. There were some very good autumn sown crops. The grass crops, chiefly fescue and crested dogstan has thrashed out we'l from the stook. Heavy crops are reported nearer the coast and about Tuatapere, hut the land is new there. Further inland the ground has been very dry, and the crops vary considerably. In most districts where there is swamp land the crops are heavy and stooking up well, but in the lighter soil they are generally disappointing. There does not seem to be a great, area under wheat, but it is looking fairly well, although a high average vield need not be looked for. Most crops of wheat are changing colour, and some Wi’! be readv for cutting before the oats are finished. It is getting late enough for thrashing out of the stook, ‘ unless the weather is exceptionally fine. It is now being found there are more who have last season’s oats on hand than was at one time believed to be the case. Those who declined to take market, value at 5s per bushel cannot but feel it unsatisfactory to accept less than half that figure now. , , , Mostly all over Southland welcome and highly beneficial rains have fallen during the month of February. There have been some disagreeable winds, but never m the north-west direction with a bright sun to cause shaking. A fair percentage of crop, especially in light find ridgy land is now in stook. In manv cases the crops have come in more rapidlv than farmers wished for The rvecrra.ss thrashing may now be considered finished, and it has turned out very much as it promised earlier. In districts where the frosts were not enough to blacken potatoes, grass-seed is turning out heavier. There is not, much crop so heavy, but the sheaf-carrier, which, is specially a great •'id for stooking in light crops, is not available. A machine for stookmg sheaves or an improvement on the carrier mav yet come into use. Iyaboursaving implements will be much more, in requisition from this forward. With prices falling for our leading products, and increased production absolutely recessary to meet the pos : tion. intenser cultivation and improved and less expensive methods will have to be pursued. There is an almost fixed determination with many to employ manual labour as little as possible, and the supply at present seems about equal to the demand.