JANUARY’S HEAVY RAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1930, Page 15

JANUARY’S HEAVY RAIN

WETTEST FOR SIX YEARS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, February 6. Last month was the wettest January since that of 1923, which was the wettest so far recorded. At Auckland, Timaru, Geraldine and a few other places record falls for January were experienced. ■ The abundant rainfall has ensured a prolific growth of grass and vegetation generally. Crops are in a good state, the damage done by the rain being less severe than might have been -expected. There had been some tendency in Canterbury for wheat stalks to break off near the roots, the effect chiefly of the earlier dry spell. ; Some crops will he difficult to harvest through having been beaten down. The grass, though plentiful, is rather • soft. Dairy cattle are doing well, but j lambs are not fattening properly. Haymaking has been everywhere- retarded or prevented, and farmers converting fodder into ensilage have been more fortunate] Fruit crops are good for the most part, with the exception of stone fruit, A dry spell in February will be of muck benefit, the director concludes.