English Crop Prospects.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6259, 4 July 1890, Page 3

English Crop Prospects.

A “ farm note " from England dated May 2nd, says : —We had a tremendous quantity of rain in the last half, of April, with a minimum of sunshine ; but as farmers bad sown near all their corn before the heaviest of the rainfall occurred, no barm has been done. On the contrary, for the pastures, meadows, clovers, and forage crops generally, the thorough washing which the soil has received must be beneficial, and whore mangolds have been sown the abundance of moisture will cause them to germinate quickly. Besides, we need a good downpour some time during the spring to flush the springs and fill up the ponds, in order to secure us against a scarcity of water in the event of a drought occurring during the summer, and it is better to have the rain in April than in May. The one thing needful is warm and sunny weather, and if we shou'4

get it, the whole country will be in a blooming condilivu, and farmers’ prospects will be in (lie highest, degree hopeful. All crops, ns a rule, are looking well, as we have not had any severe frosts in April, and corn can stand wet weather at this time of tho year when there is no i'rost. The only complaints made are those relating to the thinning of wheat in a few places by slug or wire-worm, and damage donelo winter beans by tho very severe frosts of the first week of March. Generally, however, the wheats are thick and strong, while forage crops are luxuriant, and spring corn has como up well But we cannot have healthy development of vegetation without more heat and sunshine than we have enjoyed lately, and everyone is hoping for a bright and warm May,