WORTH THOUSANDS

Southland Times, Issue 20447, 27 March 1928, Page 6

WORTH THOUSANDS

YESTERDAY’S RAIN

OVER AN INCH IN TOWN COUNTRY BENEFITS GREATLY The past summer has been the driest experienced in Southland for many years, and although holiday-makers and dwellers in towns have rejoiced at the succession of sunny days many farmers have waited anxiously for a good fall of rain. Pastures have suffered severely from the dry spell and complaints of lack of feed have been numerous. Dairy farmers have been facing a steady decline in the milk yield and a high barometer each day has brought no joy to their hearts. Now, however, prospects are much brighter, thanks to the heavy rain that commenced to fall about 3.30 a.m. yesterday and continued till the afternoon. In Invercargill 1.12 inches had fallen up to noon, and reports from the country are to the effect that an equally heavy fall was experienced in almost all districts. The downfall is worth many thousands of pounds to the farmers of the province and will relieve much of' the anxiety felt, concerning the provision of winter feed. The turnip crops especially will benefit from the rain, which has come in time to allay fears of disastrously poor yields. Sheep-farmers no less than dairy farmers will welcome the downpour, for lambs have not been fattening as well as their owners could wish, good feed being scarce. Now they should put on weight rapidly, and older sheep will benefit equally. As indicating the difference the rain will make to dairymen it may be stated that one farmer informed a Times reporter that his returns for yesterday showed an increase of 301bs, and he anticipates a much greater increase as the week progresses. The dairying season should close in a much more satisfactory way than most farmers anticipated a week ago. Harvesting operations are practically complete in the province, so that the rain will not inconvenience those who have had crops of oats and wheat. Town gardens have had a parched appearance in common with the country pastures and horticulturists will be as grateful for the rain as those who earn their living entirely from the land.