BETTER OUTLOOK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20282, 4 December 1935, Page 6

BETTER OUTLOOK

GOOD GROWTH OF PASTURES MAKING OP HAY There has been wonderful growth of grass throughout the countryside as a result of last month’s rain. Wheat and oat crops, which were languishing for the want of moisture, have responded wonderfully, and splendid crops are to be seen in all districts. In a few cases winter sown wheat is looking too well, and there is the danger of It going down if unfavourable weather comes along when ft is in the heavy flag state. While the prospects for hay were gloomy a month ago, the position has now changed, and some good crops are to be seen, but the area to be cut will not be so large as usual on account of the dry spring. During the week a start has been made with hay-making, and a few isolated stacks are to be seen. The sunny weather of the last week has been ideal for this class of work. In a season such as the present, every bit of surplus grass should be converted Into hay. The time is not far distant when most farmers will have a reseAe of hay or ensilage, not “for a rainy day,” but when that inevitable dry spell comes along. While little attention has been given to ensilage making in South Canterbury, largely on account of our dry climate, yet the importance of making ensilage is yearly receiving more attention, from farmers. it is quite a common practice in some parts of the Dominion to grow oats and other green feed and convert it into ensilage. On account of continuous wet weather in certain districts it is almost impossible to make hay, and ensilage-making has to be resorted .o. An instance might be cited of what dairy farmers in Taranaki have to contend with, as for the eleven months of this year the rainfall at Stratford was 100 inches.