RURAL RIDES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20092, 22 November 1930, Page 10

RURAL RIDES.

THE WAIPARA-H A WARDEN DISTRICT. No. IX. t,Dv IT.A.M.) Tlio extremes of tlio weather this last fortnight or to have brcn very perturbing to farmers, particularly to croppers. \ erv little rain lias fallen over most of the Plains. and even where ligjit showers have been fairly frequent the drying winds have negatived most of their effect. The rainfall in one district is rather a loose criterion of what is happening in t uis respect in another, but the fall recorded in the City m the seven weeks from October Ist to Kove:::!.cr •■. was less than 1| inches. As stated, even such a meagre visitation w.ae not allowed to confer much benefit on account of the drying winds —in uins' cases immediatolv following the showers in those districts lucky enough to set, them. Where 110 rain fell Hie position, naturally, was still more perturbing. However, some districts have been rescued from the probabilities of a. crop failure within the last couple or davs A run through North Canterbury yesterday emphasised this fact. Through the Ashley- Downs on towards Amborley. in which there appears to bo fully the normal acre-ore of crops, rain is badlv wanted. The lack of sunshine and the frosts have further retarded growth at a i-ritical time, and a fair area of wheat is showing an un-

districts there are to be seen fields ot Algerians oil in car, and less than a foot high. The dry weather is maturing thcin very quickly. Tho later sowings of white oats will be greatly benefited by the rain, hilt a corresponding benefit will scarcely accnie to the oats already in car. Conditions this spring have caused feeding off to be more intense than usual, and chaffing will he tho only possible utilisation of these light crops. It will, at all events, be good weighty chaff. Possible Hoots Area. Judging liv the land turned over a good area of turnips and rape wilt be sown this season. These crops are fairly important and reliable ones in the Downs. The prospect of more roots being needed for the fattening of lambs on account of the late spring, and tho precaution of nioro turnips in case of another winter liko tho last are no doubt causing an increase in tho area devoted to these crops. Now that tho rain has given tho soil such a soaking, roots will bo got in with every pros]>sct of a maximum germination. Stock Conditions. The rain has brightened up pasture to an extent that might, create a mistaken impression as to feed conditions. For so late in the season us November growth is not very far ahead, but it is decidedly more forward than further south in the province. Ewes and lambs are looking as if they had been uell provided for in the winter and spring, and now that rain has come to the rescue, the response in growth is likely to be rapid. Tho I just week has brought some snow to the front ranges, and frosts, even at this late period, which would check grass growth, arc quite jxj.ssible. if not probable.