THE CROPS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1429, 15 February 1888, Page 3

THE CROPS.

Harvest operations are well nigh finished at Millers Flat and Moa Flat, the bulk of the cereal crops being already in the stack. The wheat crop (very little of which is now standing) has been saved in excellent condition, and. the producers are hopeful of big prices for their grain. There has been a good deal of land during the past year brought under cultivation on blocks xii. and xiii., Millers Flat district, but the crops are not turning out as well as was generally expected in the early part of the spring.

Between the Beaumont and Horseshoe Bend, the crop 3 are looking fairly well. Oats chiefly have been grown ; but the yield of grain and straw will be lighter than usual.

Our Raes Junction correspondent writes : — The heavy gales of wind experienced here on Thursday and Friday nights did a great deal of damage to the standing crops. Mr Jas. Bennet in particular was a very heavy sufferer, the wind having played havoc with his oat crop, which was jußt ready for the reaper. The bulk of the crop around is still in a green state, but, notwithstanding, it was more or leas affected by the heavy winds.

From Crookston Flat, we learn that the severity of the recent gales of wind has done considerable damage to the crops. Messrs Reid and Fleming, whose crops were well advanced, are heavy losers.

The harvest will not be in general at Dunrobin for another week or so. The bulk of the cereals are looking very well at present, and, barring unforseen contingencies, give promise of an abundant yield. Our Mt. Stuart correspondent informs us that the majority of the farmers in that district are now hard at work in the harvest field. The crops on the whole are looking exceedingly well, and, provided the weather holds good, a more than average yield may be looked forward to. The high winds on Thursday and Friday of last week did a lot of damage to Mr Blaikie's crops, which were just ready for cutting . Our correspondent has not heard whether any of the other settlers suffered to any material extent.