THE HARVEST.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 3

THE HARVEST.

OXFORD COUNTY.

To review tho crops and the harvest prospects of tno Uxtorcl county is a liiucu more pleasing uuty in iyiSrtlian it lias been tor several years. 'J.no tanners havo nard and spirit-breaking times. instances are not, tew where tho whole or their agricultural activities have come to nougtit. Inis year, however, tlie farmer may view the in-, gathering or his harvest- witn cheerful nope.

'J. he; climatic conditions that have prevailed have appeared unpropitious, out it it not improoable that tbe severe winter has purged tlie soil, hardened the plant, and given it a eturdiness and life tiiat will fructify in abundant yields. In a tew cases, the long period of snow seems to have done damage, but in most cases all crops that were in before July are good. Tlie later crops are neither so iree from pests, nor so promising as are tno early ones.

, On tho western side of the county there is less wheat than there has been for two or three years, and what there is, is not so good; but in regard to oats, while there are 6ome light. crops, lighter indeed than might havo been expeqted, thore aro also some that range from very fair to very good. la the middle and on the eastern side, south of the Rangiora-Oxford road, the crops generally of both wheat and oats aTe very good. This is particularly noticeable on the farms or tho "Warren Estate, where the wheat on the farm of Messrs Luers, Cross, R. F. Henderson, T. B. Vincent, and L. Meyers, and Paget aro of outstanding promise, while the. oat crops on the same farms, and on that of Mr Blain, are very good indeed. Much of the wheat may exceed 40 bushels per acre, "and the oats may exceed 50 bushels. In tho Carleto'n district there is great promise. Fields of both wheat and oats are remarkably level and well-headed, and the wheat on the farms of Messrs Paget and Cross may exceed the 50-bußhel mark. Near Oxford the crops are not so uniformly good, but, on tho Ashley Gorge road Mr A. J. T. "Wotherspoon ..as some fine oats, and Mr A. Henderson some fine wheat.

The showery season lias resulted in promise of good growths of both rape and turnips, but grass is not so abundant as might have boen expected in view of .the droppiness of the season. In 1917 and 1918 the average yield of wheat in the county was respectively 20.44 and 25.51 bushels. It is estimated this year to average 32 bushels, and it will pot bo a surprise if it exceeds that. In the same years the average yiolds per acre of oat 9 were respectively 22.23 and 33.89. The. estimate for this year is 38 bushels per acre.

Tho crops generally aro standing up well, are a good height, and should make good harvesting.