OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3514, 19 July 1921, Page 10

OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

(Fbojj Ocb Own Cobbespondent.) We have had winters just as good as this, but none better. r lhe weather is for the most part very fine, and reminds one more of spring than of the middle of winter. Frosts are not severe, and we sometimes do not get one for several days. At times the sky has been overcast for a time, and thi3 means a cold, cheerless state of affairs; but generally the sun shines out for some portion of the day, and does so with spring-like warmth. The days are already lengthening out, and even if rough weather comes it cannot be as lasting in its effects as if it had come before the shortest day. Of course, there plenty of time for winter weather yet. ue have seen snow lie on the ground for the best part of next month even on the low lands. \Ye want rain some time soon, and now is the proper season for it. However, we arc quite content to go on as we are doing for another w eek or 60. —A Heavy Wind.—On tho first day of the month we experienced an unusually severe nor’-wester for tills time of the year. Fortunately it did not last for many hours, or it would have done a great deal more damage than it did. in some districts trees were uprooted and straw slacks derooted. Sheaf stacks also suifered, end it is stated that several clover seed stacks disappeared altogether. A few sheds were unroofed and otherwise damaged, but, on the whole, we got off fairly well. Is is not often that we get gales of this sort at this season, but when they do come they are generally severe. The land lias dried up again, and it looks as if there has been no rain for months. The wind took most of the moisture that had fallen in the nice showers we had last month out of the soil. We have been promised rain and snow this month, but so far there has been no sign of either. —Xo Stoppage.— So far the teams have been kept going steadily, and there is a great deal of land being turned over, more than usual 1 should imagine. In fact, the drill has not yet stopped, and wheat and oat<s are still going in. Inland, along the downs at the foot of the ranges, there has been no stoppage to speak of in team work, a most unusual tiling for this time of the year. For a few days the ground was too hard for an hour or two, but that has been the only hindrance so far. The country cannot be said to fco looking well. There was some growth a few weeks ago, but the wind and the lack of rain has again caused a check, and both grass and crops are at a standstill. Next month there should be a show, but we shall have to get more rain before there is much chance of either crops or grass dicing any good. —Stock On Velvet.—Stock is doing wed, the line weather favouring ail animats, it is a good tiling that the winter is an open one, as feed la none too plenum!, and stock is not m tne i.suul good order, 'l'nere may be sufficient iiiriupo to see us through it the weauier continues fairly line, bid there is nothing lu corne ana go on. 'there has been no waste in the roots so far this winter, 'there uas been an almost, total absence of mud, and that has allowed the sheds to be cleaned light up. At times there has been a fittie to-o much dust, and just now a shower of rain would do good in laying dust where the land is light. X’lie sheep ate being given a lew hours only 011 the turnips ea-ca day, but seeing that they are not in as good condition as usual it is a pity that they could not bo given a bigger ration. However, one cannot do the impossible, and most of us will have to conserve our turnips to the utmost to make tnem last out till the grass comes in the spring. There is very little hay about, but the straw stacks are coming in very useful. There has been more straw fed to stock this winter than tor years, and more straw chaff has been cut than usual. Some iambs have already appeared, and they are doing fveil. However, it is only on picked places that it pays -*U> have lttmbs as early as this. Next month some of the northern districts wiii see a good many lambs, but September is early enough for the average farmer. —The Back Country.—In the back country the winter is passing over very nicely indeed. There has been no snow as yet; in fact, the cops of the ranges are barely covered. However, much of trie country is exceptionally dry, and matters will be serious it ram does not come shortly or a. good fall of snow. In fact, some runholders assert that the only hope for tiie coming season is a fali of snow. It is holding oil' wed so far, but it is almost bettei to come now than later on, when the ev.es me getting heavier in lamb. Generally speaking, a spring snow does more injury to the stock than a winter fall. The climate has been very dry in parts of the back country for some years, and the continued drought is leaving its mark. Of course, rabbits, overstocking, and burning at the wrong time have all had their influences, but climate also counts. A great deal of the pastoral country is beginning to look like a wilderness, and this sold of desolation is gradually advancing to the better portions of the districts. Rabbits, too, are running in tens of thousands on whole blocks of country, and they, too, are gradually spreading to land that has been comparatively free up to this. The situation is a very serious one, and both, the Government and the occupiers will have to tackle the problems that are affecting this valuable class of couldry. If something is not done soon the position will bo past- recovery. Indeed. it is doubtful if some stations that wore looked upon as very desirable a few years ago are now worth holding. The fall in the price of wool and stock, together with the inroads of rabbits and the effects of drought., have combined to almost ruin the innholder. Insecurity of tenure and inadequacy of compensation for improvements have been accused of being the chief factors in the present unsatisfactory state of affairs, but it is doubtful if these arc the main reasons, though they have had a had effect it must he admitted. There lias been much speculation in this class of country for many years, and very few settle down and make homes on the runs. Tho country has been bought and sold largely for speculative purposes, and not for what could be made out of the holdings by 00cu,-

pal ion. There is much diversity of opinion as to what is the best policy to pursue in respect of this country, but the sooner that something is done the bettor.