PASTURES AND CROPS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 3, 15 March 1913, Page 341

PASTURES AND CROPS.

FEBRUARY. Officers of the Fields and Experimental Farms Division of the Department report as follows on the condition of the pastures and crops during the past month : Bay of Islands. weather continues in a state of drought, as it has been since October, and there seems no prospect of it breaking. It has had very disastrous results on live-stock, especially dairy herds, and the factory-suppliers are in consequence complaining of small cheques. Grass and bush fires are raging in many parts of the district, doing serious damage, and causing the winter outlook for live-stock to appear very gloomy, with the result that prices at the last monthly sale were considerably affected- Every settler in the district is praying fervently for the heavens to pour forth their watery blessings.— W. J. Dunlop. Auckland. —The February month, from every point of view, was all that could be desired. ' The fine warm weather experienced allowed the farmers time to harvest their crops in splendid condition. The dry weather, though retarding growth, was, at all events, of benefit in giving the land a spell for a time. When the late rains set in they very soon freshened up everything again. Grass, turnips, mangels, maize, and other crops benefited by the change. Stock of all descriptions are looking well. It is noticeable that the early-autumn-sown potatoes are strong and healthy. The root crops since the change set in promise to be good. The rainfall was much appreciated by the farmers, the dry weather was having a serious effect on. the supply of milk for the factories.— R. Rowan. Te Aroha.The former part of the month was very dry, and pastures and root crops suffered. The last week was showery, which has done considerable good generally, but not enough rain has fallen to soak the land. However, at time of writing there are prospects of a good fall. Owing to the .continuous drought the butter-fat output has fallen considerably. The showers experienced have given the root crops a start, and with a good rainfall they ought to be good, being practically free from disease and fly. Potatoes. are very good generally.—J. L. Morris. : Cambridge. Hot and muggy weather was the rule for the month, some days being very oppressive. Useful heavy rain-showers fell at intervals towards the end of the month, which did much to keep the grass fresh and green, and also benefited the swedes. The latter are looking particularly well just now, and a heavy turnip crop is almost assured. Hay and grain crops have been harvested in good order. —-A. A. Clapcott. Hamilton. Rain on the 6th of the month and again on two or three days towards the latter end, which, though not enough to saturate the ground, was sufficient to benefit the pastures and turnip crops. Root crops generally are looking well, and as there is every prospect of a good autumn growth of grass there should be a good supply of feed for the winter months.— J. Kerr. King-country. Beneficial rains fell last month, promoting a good growth in all root crops and freshening up the pastures, and should produce good results on newly sown burnt-bush areas. Tilling is now progressing favourably in the agricultural portions of the district, preparing the land for autumn sowings.— B. Bayly. New Plymouth.--The rainfall was above the average last month, consequently the pastures are looking very green, and feed is very plentiful. All root crops have made excellent growth.— R. E. Fairfax-Cholmeley. . Stratford.-A fine growing month—fine days interspersed with rain, which has had the effect of keeping pastures and crops fresh. Meadow hay and oaten hay have been well saved. Farmers are now starting I to use their maize, and the milk-supply is keeping up well. Farmers who left the sowing of their turnips till late in. the season have patchy crops, these being attacked by diamond-back moth. At present the prospects for winter feed are good.— Austin F. Wilson.

Hawera. —Rain fell on the 18th, after which the weather was showery and unsettled. Pastures are making a good recovery, and turnips, mangels, carrots, and other green crops are making excellent growth since the rains set in. Swedes are, so far, free from blight, but rot has appeared in a good many turnip crops of the soft varieties. The small areas of potatoes grown are yielding well, the tubers being sound and free from blight. All classes of stock are in good condition. Supplies at factories are still good, although a rapid falling-off must-naturallysoon be looked for. A. J. Glasson. Mangaweka.—Very warm weather was experienced during the early part of February. On the 21st instant a fair amount of rain fell, which was wanted to freshen up pastures and other crops. There is still an abundance of feed, and future prospects for farmers in this district are bright. Considering the dryness of the month, stock of all kinds are doing well.- J. A. Melrose. ■ • ■ ■ Poverty Bay.—The weather during February was exceptionally dry. Pastures of low-lying and coastal country are parched and scanty. On the higher bush land they are rather better, but large areas have been destroyed by very severe bush-fires, which swept away timber , and grass. Numbers of sheep perished in the flames and smoke. In two instances the number is reported as high as 11,000 and 12,000. However, the ultimate benefit will more than repay the present loss, as a great area of very dirty country has been cleaned of rotting timber.— William Ross. / y ' Wairoa.Weather during the February period was very hot and dry, there being but two light rainfalls throughout the month. The root crops are showing the 'effects of the lengthened- dry spell. There is still a sufficiency of feed on the hills, but the shortage of water is being seriously felt by the stock. The potato crop is not up to former standards, but the maize crop promises to yield well. Stock continue, in good condition.— T. F. Mvllaly. Waipukurau.—A very dry month. Bush and grass fires have done considerable damage, some settlers being left without any feed for stock. Houses and sheds in the Piripiri, Ruaroa, and Ruamati districts were burnt. Light showers fell on the 23rd and 24th, but were not heavy enough to do any appreciable good. Stock are looking fairly well.— H. 0. M. Christie. Pahiatua.—Rainfall for. the month, 1-27 in. on nine days, the heaviest fall being 0-28 in. on the 23rd February. Rainfall for month, 1912, 5-02 in., on ten days. The intermittent showers and the heavy dews have done a lot of good, giving the pastures a start, also all root crops. Referring, to root, crops, a settler in the Pongaroa districthad a half-acre of Californian thistle, which was dug last spring, and swedes sown in November. He has fully 20 tons of turnips, and not a thistle to be seen on the patch.— T. Bacon. . North Wairarapa.—The past month has been favourable, both from a pastoral and agricultural point of viewshowers intermixed with warm weather, which'had a beneficial effect on pastures. Turnips, rape, and all green crops have improved, except where the blight has completely destroyed the crops. Factory-suppliers state that the average is well maintained. Stock of all descriptions are looking well and, if this favourable weather continues, should winter well. Grain crops, by all accounts, are going to thresh out well up to the average.— J. 8. Rankin. Masterton. —We had exceptionally hot, dry weather during last month, and the pastures are very brown. On the 15th we had a touch of winter, and the Tararuas were capped with snow. Rain fell on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, but did not improve the pastures much, though it did a great amount of good to rape and turnips. All grain crops have been harvested in good condition, the yield in oats so far being from 70 .to 80 bushels. This, of course, is not equal to last year, when as high as 110 bushels was obtained, and 60 to 75 bushels for wheat. The wheat has not been threshed yet. Some good crops of swedes and mangels are noticeable in the district, and there are some very good crops of potatoes'practically free from blight. The Hessian fly is reported to have done considerable damage in some parts of the district. Though some of the maize crops were sown late, they are -looking well and promise good yields. There are some good crops of peas in. most parts of the district. Tomato crops have been badly affected with blight, and only with persistent spraying have the larger crops been saved. All sjock are looking very well. I have noticed in several parts of the district a blight— Californian-thistle rust {Puccinia suavedlens) —-on this thistle. This prevents the thistle from seeding. Some landowners are endeavouring to spread it from one patch to the other. T. C. Webb. . South Wairarapa.The weather during the past month was seasonable, there having been refreshing rains, which has brought away fresh growth. Practically all

crops are now harvested, the late crops having been very much stunted through the early drought. The rape crops have not been too good this season, owing to the dry weather, except in the low-lying lands. Stock in general are looking well.— G. Ivens.

Wellington.—Generally, mild hazy weather was the rule during February. Steady beneficial rains fell on several days, freshening up hill pastures, which are now good, especially on coastal runs, and winter feed is now fairly assured. Oat crops were good and were stacked in good condition. Maize and rape are looking well, also stock. Advantage was taken of the favourable weather to burn out scrubby and fern patches for regrassing. A favourable month for farmers. -G. H. Jenkinson.

Blenheim.—February was a very dry month and very windy. Rain fell on two days during the third week ; but, owing to the hardness of the ground, there was not enough to penetrate very far, and more rain is very badly needed.— F. H. Brittain.

Westland.— weather continues most unpropitious for this time of the year. February, which as a rule is the hottest and driest month, proved the very reverse. We had several very cold snaps from the south, and snow fell on the high country. The result, as might be expected, was disastrous in regard to haymaking, whereas, on the other hand, the growth of grass is phenomenal. Stock in consequence are looking sleek, and the deliveries to the dairy factories are, as a result, very satisfactory indeed. —. J. Walton.

Kaikoura.—The harvesting of grain crops was practically completed during the month, and the bulk of the crop was stacked in good condition. The crop as a whole is good and above the average of former years. Wind and rain laid several of the heavy crops of oats about the beginning of the month, but these were pretty well ripened, so did not reduce the yield. Turnips are coming on nicely, and promise well for winter feed. Pastures have made good growth during the month.— William S. Goodall.

Rangiora.All green crops suffered for the want of rain in the early part of last month. Aphis had attacked the swedes, turnips, and rape, but the heavy showers at the end of the month washed a good many away and revived the crops. Threshing has been going on steadily through the month, mostly from the stook; but rain stopped operations for a short period: The weather has been seasonable. Sunshine, .185 hours 35 minutes. Rainfall for month, 245 in.— A. Hughes.

Lincoln. —-With the exception of a severe north-west gale on the 11th of the month good harvest weather prevailed until the 20th, when the weather broke. It continued showery for some days, but little harm resulted to the grain then remaining in stook. On the other hand, the rains have greatly benefited green crops and pastures. Turnip crops generally are now in a very healthy condition, and rape has been freshened up. Where already threshed, white clover has yielded fairly well. Red clover promises a fair yield. The cocksfoot crop, both as regards quantity and quality, is a satisfactory one. On the higher country on the Peninsula, however, the threshing has not been completed.— J. G. Scott. . >

Ashburton.Harvesting was greatly delayed through the wet weather, and the sample of grain is very shrivelled, yielding only about half of that of last year. Turnips, rape, and grass have been greatly benefited through the rain, and.good autumn and winter feed is now assured. Frost cut back a lot of the late potatoes, and the heavy nor’-westers denuded a lot of the fruit-trees. The total rainfall for the month was 3-44 in., and there were 7 degrees of frost.— G. Branigan.

Faiblie. —Very dry weather was experienced during the first half of the month, crops ripening quickly and pastures being burnt up. Water was very scarce in some parts of the district. Rain came on the 20th, 3-20 in. being registered. Pastures and root crops freshened up, and there is a good prospect for the winter. A good deal of crop has been harvested and threshed, and yields are very poor. Potatoes will require to be dug at once, as the second growth has appeared.— -W. B. Manning.

Tim aril —The weather for the month has been very varied heavy north-west gale doing a lot of damage to standing grain and crop in stook,' being followed by a heavy fall of rain delaying harvest-work, and a hard frost which cut down a lot of the potato crops. The pastures have a great growth of grass all through the district, and there should be good winter feed if the frosts keep off.— J. G. Huddleston.

Kubow.The past month was very unfavourable for harvesting operations, owing to heavy winds. The crops received a very severe shaking before cutting, which will affect the average yield considerably./ Farmers state that their crops will not pan out

so well as last year, and that the wheat is shrivelled and light. Potato crops are also reported to be poor, owing to the dry season. . A large number of lambs have left the district during the month, although the slaughtermen’s strike is affecting the demand for fat sheep. Heavy rains during the latter end of the month gave root crops and grass a fresh start, and the country is commencing to look green again.— G. Reid.

0 amaru.— weather of last month was variable, and has changed rapidly most of the time. The harvest is now general, and farmers are finding that crops are showing very uneven yields. A bad north-west gale caused a certain amount of damage on the 13th instant, but luckily the greater part of crop was in the stook. Green crops are looking - very well, and the country has derived considerable benefit from recent rain.— -W. F. Flower. ' ■

Palmerston South. During the month weather-conditions were varied, excessive heat being followed by cold wind and rain. Heavy gales about the middle of the month did considerable damage to standing crops. Total rainfall, 1-30 in., 88 points falling since the 25th, which, although hindering harvest, has helped the turnip crop greatly, and these are now looking well. Stacking is the order of the day, a few farmers having threshed. Although the crops are below the average some good samples are to be found. One farmer has threshed 78 and 64 bushels per acre of Garton autumn-sown oats. The Hessian fly has made its appearance in wheat crops, but to no serious extent. — C. S. Dalgliesh.

Dunedin. weather for February was most unseasonable — fact, some of the worst on record. Gales of wind and cold rain were experienced nearly every day. The dairy-farmers have had difficulty in securing their crops of oats, which in any case are very light. The pastures, not being heavily stocked, are very good. Mangel crops are practically a failure. Turnips also, with few exceptions, are a very light crop, the dull, windy, cold weather having retarded all growth. Potatoes promise a fair yield, and blight is not showing to any extent. — J. R. Renton.

, Mosgiel.— month was mild up till the 12th, when it blew a south-west gale, which did considerable damage to any ripe crops standing. The 13th was the severest day felt in the district for many years, when a south-west gale blew, with cold rain-showers, snow falling on the surrounding hills, and this continued over the next day. The oldest settlers in the district have not seen snow so low down on the Maungatua in a February before. The storm knocked the crops about so much that they can only be cut one way, thus causing delay and expense to the farmers. Early turnips are looking well, but those late sown are backward. So far they are free from blight. Mr. A. Birtles, Momona, sprayed a paddock of potatoes five times with Bordeaux mixture, and the crop is free from blight, while the adjoining crops not sprayed are blighted. Mangels are looking well, and so are all pastures. There is abundance of feed on the flat and hill country. Harvesting is in full swing, but labour is hard'to get. The mills have started to thresh out of the stook in the West Taieri district.— McLeod. -

Maniototo.— the Ist to the 10th fair weather prevailed, but from the 11th to the 13th heavy gales raged, doing much damage to any crops not cut. In Paerau district, crops— and oats—and pastures are looking exceptionally well. Stock in general is healthy, and is in good condition.— A. T. N. Simpson.

Clyde.—The weather for February was very dry. We were treated to one or two showers, but what rain there was produced no growth of any sort. Crops that were being harvested looked very well until the 13th instant, when we had a terrific gale which played havoc. The heads of some standing crops were stripped clean off, and others were blown clean out by the roots. Stacks were overturned in all directions. Turnips, rape, and potatoes are pretty well a failure owing to dry and windy weather.— Thomas N. Baxter.

Lawrence.—The weather for the month was very changeable. High winds were experienced, with snow low down on the hills, also slight frosts at night. Some almost ripe crops were severely shaken, and in some cases comparatively green ones were badly knocked about by a gale of wind on the 14th and 15th. Turnips and rape have suffered a good deal from fly and grub. Harvest is now general. The oat crop is on the light side, but wheat has withstood the changeable weather better and will be a fair crop.— R. Barron.

Owaka. —The weather for February was changeable, the first half of the month being very good and the latter part stormy. Harvesting has commenced, but the crops are short in most cases, although there are some heavy crops in parts of the distr

Blight has not made much headway among the potatoes, and indications point to a satisfactory return. Turnips are looking healthy, and grass is abundant everywhere.— R. McGillivray.

Tapanui.—-The weather has broken and much rain has fallen, which, although interrupting the harvest, which is now in full swing, will do an immense amount of good in freshening pastures and helping along turnips, rape, and young grass. Cereals are much below the average of former years, and the oat crop is not so well filled. Barley is below the average, both in quantity and quality. Turnips have been damaged both by fly and grub, but are recovering since recent rains, and, given fair growing- weather, may yet be a fair crop.— W. J. McCulloch.

Gore.—The weather during the past month was most unfavourable for harvesting, being more, like winter than the early autumn. Harvesting is now general, and some very good crops are to be seen in stook. The second week of the month was exceptionally rough, the gales we experienced causing considerable damage to the green crops. In some cases farmers estimate their loss from this cause at about 10 bushels per acre. Pastures are holding out well, and both the turnip and potato crops are looking well.— B. Grant.

Lumsden.— weather for the month of February was anything but seasonable. During the first week of the month we had some nice warm sunny days, followed by a regular winter snap—very stormy, with high wind and. rain, with snow on the high countrygreatly interfering with the grass-cutting and doing a lot of damage to the grass in stook. During the last week of the month we have been favoured with nice warm days, allowing the farmers to make headway in cutting the wheat and oat crops. All white crops this season will be light. Turnips appear to be doing very well, and should be plentiful. Potatoes, although not dug, look well. Pastures still continue to have plenty of feed.— W. 8. 8. Cantrell.

Invercargill.—The weather during February was very changeable, with a fair amount of rain. About the middle of the month we experienced high winds and heavy hail-showers, which did a considerable amount of damage to crops. Grass is getting scarce, and turnips and rape are now being fed off in some instances. Oats are now being cut, and grass is still to be seen in stook.—J. R. Whyborn.

Otautau. —The weather for the month was wretched, and harvest has been at a standstill in consequence. Many farmers have grain in stook, but have not been able to lead it in owing to the continuous rain. The 13th of the month was one of the worst experienced for a long time, hail and rain falling all day, doing a good deal of damage to standing crops. The grass-seed harvest is proving very light. Turnips and potatoes are looking remarkably well throughout the district, and food is plentiful.; H. F. Dencker. ' ■ ■

Queenstown. —The weather for the month was very changeable up till within the last week or ten days, during which we experienced fine weather. Cold winds were very prevalent, which have had the effect of retarding the fall growth somewhat, but the whole district has improved wonderfully in the matter of pastures, crops, &c., since the rains of a month ago. Harvesting is well on now, but spring-sown crops are yet to cut, and in most cases are poor.— A. Clarice.

Pembroke. —The weather during last month was very unseasonable, and harvesting operations could only be carried out with great difficulty. A considerable amount of lost time was occasioned through the almost incessant strong gales, which at times were followed by cold rain and snow on the higher country. About the middle of the month an extra strong gale was experienced throughout the district, which damaged trees and crops.— J. A. Griffith.

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