THE DRY SPELL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20899, 1 December 1937, Page 3

THE DRY SPELL

A SERIOUS POSITION CROPS AND PASTURES SUFFERING A good general rain would be welcomed by all farmers in South Canterbury. The continuous dry spell is having a marked effect on the countryside and unless rain comes soon the outlook will be very serious. The feed question is becoming a problem in many districts and stock are showing signs of shortened rations and the milk supply is being curtailed. Crops are languishing for the want of moisture and are prematurely running to head. Many crops, particularly late sown ones, are ruined, and there are instances of farmers feeding off their crops with sheep. The root crops in most cases have failed to germinate and the prospect of winter feed is particularly gloomy. Some farmers, who make a practice of sowing their mangels in September have been successful in obtaining a good strike. There is still ample time, however, for the sowing of the general turnip crop. A South Canterbury resident who has just returned from a trip by air to the North Island states that particularly dry conditions prevail in Marlborough, the country around Blenheim being sorely in need of moisture, while the hill country of the province is absolutely burnt up without a sign of greenness. North Canterbury has fared much better than South Canterbury the better appearance of crops and pastures being due to the heavier rainfall during the winter. With the exception of the Manawatu district the whole of the North Island is enjoying a good season and feed is plentiful. Some excellent hay crops were being cut in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty districts. Most of the North Island, however, experienced a dry spring. Last week there was a general rain the fall in most places being nearly two Inches.