MARLBOROUGH DROUGHT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18278, 22 December 1933, Page 11

MARLBOROUGH DROUGHT

WORST FOR YEARS CROPS BADLY AFFECTED Reports from Marlborough state that that province is passing through one of the longest and worst droughts on record. In the Ward and Scddon districts the rainfall lor the first 11 months of the year was only lOiii. Tho result lias been disastrous as far as crops of wheat, oats, and peas are concerned, the only bright spot being in the Lower Wairau valley. Here, on the heavier land, both wheat and oats, and also peas, will yield reasonably good crops. The straw is not rank, but the cereals are well headed. In Southern Marlborough there was no break in the autumn drought, which has carried right on through the winter into the spring. Wheat and oats have been grazed over most of tho Ward and Sedcloii districts, and the yields of cereals from this area will he very small. Pasture growth has been at a standstill, and lucerne lias been grazed heavily—to the extent that the seed crop will be only a fraction of normal. It was hoped to save a fairly extensive area of perennial rye grass for seed, but this also had to bo grazed, and the province will produce very little this year. Old residents consider 1933 the driest season in their experience. Sheep had to be removed in the winter off many farms towards Nelson for agistment. The wide expanse of undulating country in southern Marlborough, which generally’ is a picture in the spring and summer, is bare and dry. No part of tho South Island responds so quickly to a downpour as does the limestone country in Ibis district, about the only cause lor consolation at the moment.

Marlborough threshed 222,000 bushels ol wheat last season and 80,000 bushels of oats, but the bulk of the oats crop was chaffed.

The area in lucerne ranges about 2500 acres. The loss in seed and bay from the latter crop will be substantial.