PASTURTS FRESHENED

Chronicle (Levin), 2 December 1947, Page 3

PASTURTS FRESHENED

— — — WELCOftlE FALL OF RAIN The rain whieh has fallen over the past few days, although spoiling many outdoor sporting activities at the weekend, has been very welcome to- farmers and market gardeners in this district. The protracted dry spell has left the surface soil generally in a parched condition, and has seriously slowed down the growth of pastures and plants. The rain whieh fell over the weekend and almost continuously yesterday was sufficient to provide a considerably refreshing effect on plant life throughout the district, and with the promise oi more rain to come it seems likely that the effects of the drought will be largely overcome. Perhaps the most relieved of an were the market gardeners of Opiki, where potatoes and onions were beginning to show the effecc of the dry spell. It was there that the weather threatened to slow up the entire growth of the crops. In the farming areas the drought did considerable damag** to pastures, and stock generally will beneflt greatly from the new growth resulting from the rain. Dairy production had shown a slight falling oif, and in manyj cases the sowing of crops such as; wheat and barley was abandonea for this year because planting in parched soil involve'd too great a risk. Also many pastures due for renewal have not been resown. Turnips, rape and other autumn feed crops already sown will be given a great booSt by the watering they have received. Specially welcome to most farmers will be the refllling of their water tanks, whieh in the majority of cases were running at an uncomfortablv low level. Perhaps! the only handicap the rain will] have to some farmers is that Itj may have a had effect on hay, j whieh has already been cut, if it goes on for several days. In any case, haymaking operations will be somewhat delayed. Many farmers in this district have already harvested excellent hay crops.