THE AUTUMN DROUGHT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 449, 6 March 1909, Page 3

THE AUTUMN DROUGHT.

PARCHED SPOTS IN THE NORTH . ISLAND. Such fine weather has wrapped itself round the North Island , lately that many people are already speaking of the dry spell as a second drought. There-is no doubt- that rain is very oadly wanted in many districts. The dryest areas appear to be from Takapau northwards, in Hawke's Bay, South. Wairarapa, Wangamii, and portions of. southern Taranaki. Water famines exist in Marton and Patea, while just outside Hawera some farmers are obtaining their supplies from the town mains. The country hits the eye as fairly green from Hawora to New Plymouth, but, according to statements. by practical fanners, there is so little moisture in the soil that only grass will grow. Seeds will not germinate, while the milk supply at the factories is said to hayo fallen thirty per cent, in the past four weeks. Tho milk supply depends .upon the rainfall. On the other hand, sheep are ■ doing very well on tho dryer pastures. In some previous years, the autumn droughts have been followed often by tho Easter floods, and, farmers will be wise if they are forearmed-as to any special visitation of, Jupiter Pluvius. '