THE HARVEST.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16436, 1 February 1919, Page 3

THE HARVEST.

MARLBOROUGH

(SPKCIAL TO "THE PRESS.")

Januaiy 31. Tho heavy lain that fell this, week, following oil the protracted spell of north.-westerly winds, luis further delayed the harvesting operations. As far "as can .be gathered, the showers have not had any very deleterious effect on. the matured cropSj though they may havo caused some peas to fall frora the pods at the drying stage. On tho other hand the rain has done a great 1 deal of good m filling out the late growth of peas. Stock owners, too, have greatly benefited. The pastures have received a much-needed freshening, and tli© condition ot' sheep on tho high country does nob now cause eo much anxiety. It is hoped that next, week will see the harvesting in full swing again. Many heavy cereal crops on the lower lands have still to bo dealt with, and the saving of. the peag will occupy attention for an extended psriod. Despite the Christmas frost and tho recent north-west winds, the pea crops constitute a prominent feature of tho season. The output is counted.on with certainty as a noteworthy record. Tho unprecedentcdly extensive acreage devoted to peas on this occasion is responsible in the main for the large aggregate production in sight, hut the yields per acre are by no means to be despised, rhe individual returns vary widely, but a rough estimate has been made that the average has so far been working out at about 30 bushels per acre, and uo v kashels has been reported. It may be worth mentioning that Marlborough is the premier pea-growing disXw Zealand. The seed peas raised here have a world-wide distribution, and are grown foe tho most part vn <j er contracts between the merchants .and the farmers. They are shipped "fo Australia and' England, and considerable quantities are transhipped to Continental countries. SOUTH CAXTERBCirr. (special to ''the raEss.") TIMARU, January 31. ihe_weather, is the chief topic of conversation m connexion with grain at present. Many wheat crops were well in the ripening stage, just before the wet spell set in, and some of these are now lvady ,for the binder which, however cannot be taken on to the fields 1* a 6lr P resen t. sodden state. A spell •rk ' k°t weather is much wanted. Ihe crops have gone down in some places, but they aro not badly tangled, and will, to a large extent right thema* takes up soon. "T crops of oats have been cut, ana threshing was well started: when tie rain came on. The yields so far reported are remarkably good. In Rome cases white oats have threshed as much as 80 bushels per. aero, while Algerians have yielded 60 bmhcls. The oats, too have.been fairfy plump.