OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 11

OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

(Fson Our Own Correspondent.) THE DROUGHT ENDED. It is refreshing in more ways than one to be able to report that at lust we have had a very useful rain. For the present at any rate, th> drought may be said to have como to an end. Usually when one hears that, a drought has broken, visions of tiopieal rams and flooded rivers and land arise in the mind. Nothing of that sort baa occurred so far. The rain was a very gentle and warm one and in few places have more than a couple of inches fallen. In .South Canterbury towards the Waitaki there has oeen over two inches, but further north tile fall was lighter though it was sufficient to give the land a nice wetting. As a matter of fact the country north of tfie Kangltuta River was not as” dry as that further south so that the rain foil in right proportion over the various parts of the piovinee. The foothill country in North Canterbury was looking well, but in South Canterbury it was the driest part of the district. Following the rain, we had a spell of misty, drizzly weather so that the moisture got well into the soil. There have been very few frosts, in fact the conditions have been very springlike. The weather is not settled and those who look at the gloomy side of things say that the unseasonable state of affairs is sure to be followed by a rough turn before long. However, we have seen weather like this last through thi> major portion of the winter and it may happen that our luck will be in this time. It is comforting to remember that we are past the shortest day. It is after that date that the worst of the winter may be expected but every fine (lav is lifting us another step towards spring. TEAMS ACTIVE. Everywhere one sees ihe plough at work and there is a large ar u of land beingblackened. There is now no excuse for holding off on account of tile hard nature of the ground. The moisture has just got through the black soil to the depth of the furrow, and though the subsoil is still hard in most cases the work is not nearly as difficult as it was. Indeed the land is turning over very well, and should be in capital order for the frosts to operate upon. There is a good deal of wheat still to go in, and when drilling is resumed it will be found that the soil is in good condition. Of course much of the land that is being now turned over, particularly lea ground, is intended for roots and rape in the summer, but quite a large portion of it will go into spring wheat and oats. Some consider that wo are neglecting outs for wheat and that there might again be a shortage next season, unless considerable spring sowing is made. Certainty so far the area sown is not groat, but Canterbury farmers who go in for wheat growing seldom sow many oats till the

spring. They concentrate all their energies upon getting as much wheat sown in tbe autumn as possible, because early wheat is much more dependable than the spring sowing. However there is likely to be a large area of oats in the south this season and wheat growers will, for the most part, restrict their oat growing to supplying their own requirements. Frost has not hindered the teams a day and the work is getting well forward everywhere. It makes spring operations much less hurried when ploughing can be carried well into the winter. COUNTRY ALREADY IMPROVED. The rain followed by mild weather has already freshened up the country very noticeably. The wheat and oats put in earlier in tho season are now giving the land a green tinge, and fears of non germination have been put an end to. Even the grass paddocks are making a showing, though a recurrence of frosts must put an end to growth for the time being. However, the paddocks have improved to such an extent that stock owners have postponed putting their ewes on the turnips for a week or two. It is essential that the roots be conserved as much as possible, and while the weather is fine and there is a little spring in the grass, stock will manage on the pastures. Preparations have been made for getting the ewes on the roots; breaks liave been fenced off in readiness for them, and as soon as necessary they will be given a few hours run each day on the roots. Tho temptation to keep the breeding flock off the roots is very great while the fine weather continues, but there is a risk in allowing the sheep to get down too much in condition. If this is allowed they will take a long time recovering in the early spring, and they cannot be expected to do as well a 3 when they are kept in fair order right through. The early oats sown for feed are now growing fast, but they are too late to be of much use before winter. In the spring when the turnips are done they will come in most useful. There are not too many roots in the country, but with care they will last through the winter unless there is a lot of waste on account of wet weather. Late sown turnips are growing still, and the earlier sorts are sending up fresh leaves. This is not altogether a good sign. The growth must affect tho quality- of the roots to some extent. As far as quality is concerned the late turnips are far before the early sorts this season. The showers that, we had about the New Year gave the libs sowing a good start, and they did not receive the check that tho- earlier crops did. As far as one can see at present the crops are making a good start and wo shall have just about enough feed to carry stock through the winter provided that the weather is not too severe. A BETTER FEELING There is a growing impression that we have touched the bottom of things as far as prices are concerned. The wool sales have been most encouraging. Though tho prices are still very low, they are a great improvement on the last sale, and it i 6 pleasing to note that the values are going up at each centre. Of course not much can be judged by the handsome prices that are being paid for some superfine lines. They may comprise only- a few bales out of a large flock of shse.p. It is the average stuff that wo are most concerned about and though there has been a considerable advance per cent, it amounts to a disappointing sum in classes of wool where ihe prices were extremely low before. Still it is reassuring to find that there is some life in the wool market, and that at a price the demand is good. Then lamb has moved upwards steadily, and many of r.s are regretting that we did not hang our killings on ihe hooks when drafts were being sent in during the lowest point of the slump. There has been a good clearance of lambs from the farms, and ewes and wethers of late have been going in steadily, and have been selling well too. as things are going. Those who shipped both their wool and their meat Home are quite satisfied so far with their venture. Prices are moving up at both sides of the world. Then there is a large area of wheat going in and good crops are expected owing to the fact that the land has had a good rest during the drought. The ground is sweet and in good order, and if we get the right kind of weather good results should bo obtained. Of course prices for all produce are going to remain at a lower lever than they have done for some years, but we seem to have touched the bottom, and there has been a bit of a recovery already.