THE WEATHER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6713, 28 November 1889, Page 4

THE WEATHER.

CROP PROSPECTS. The winter just passed was undoubtedly dry. It could not be called open, for there were severe frosts that admitted of even skating in Mid-Canterbury, and the nights for weeks were bitter. The front did much pulverising on the ploughed land, aud j materially aided cultivation. But still the ! rainfall waa limited, and as spring came on we were threatened with almost a drought. Providence, however, was better to us than our fears, and although we were not receiving our full share of pluvial blessings, we found we had enough, to keep things alive and green ; even if , the highest rate of progress in growth waa not made, work went forward without a ( break. The soil was prepared .in perfect ; condition to begin with, thanks to the open j weather: and the warmth thai followed the sowing, alternated with aa occasional shower, gave a spurt to vegetation, more especially cereals. This v/a3 the Etate of affairs up to Carnival Week, but for soma time before that the weather had been d r y_very dry. The Carnival Week ia always looked forward to as a holiday time among Canterbury farmers, but the weather this year for sometime before the holiday was forbiddingly dry, aud a little knot of farmers in Mid- | Canterbury told us a week before that their visit to the Christcburch Show would be contingent on the fall of rain. The rain camo oa the first day, and we were pleased to eeo that on tho great day of the Carnival the Mid-C&nterbm;v families had taken their holiday. Dry' weather for Eeveral days followed, but; I Monday night was very wet, with a slight shower on Tuesday, followed by a heavy rain over Tuesday night. There could be nothing more welcome at the present stage of the season. Wheat will now come away with a great rush, aa indeed will all tho cereals, and begin to build up stamina for a great yield. Pastures ace being rehabilitated, and feed that was becoming poor will be greatly enriched; Specially was rain wanted for tho root crops, and these perhaps will chow the moat substantial, direct and immediate benefit of any of tho crop? favourably affected. It is, of course, idle) to count chickens before hatching, aud in is affectation to atten.pt to cay how much the showers have been worth to üb, bub there is no getting away from tho fact that the recent rain has at least brought tho present season in line up to date— so far a3 promise is concerned — with the beat we have yet experienced. Our Timaru correspondent, telegraphing last evening, says :— Useful showers have fallen since Sunday evening, and the sky is still overcast, but with signs of clearing. Rain was beginning to be needed, as the j soil was drying after the previous light rains. The Southland Nr.ivs says:—The farmers are jubilant at the great quantity of grass that is coming on this season, and so bringing up the supply of milk at our dairy factory to nearly 1700 gallons daily. Oats are also coming on well, and the sowing of turnips appears to be in full swing; _____________