SOUTHERN CROPS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1333, 10 January 1912, Page 8

SOUTHERN CROPS.

GOOD PROSPECTS IN ASHIH'fiTON

Crop? in various parts of the A.-hbtir-ton County aro reported to be very heavy this ,v>'nr.' liuiuiries made amongst far,different parts of the district indicated in every en-* a cheerful pros.pett. The crops are wid to be unusually heavy, and not for many years has tho tiller of the soil had such good grounds to expect an abundant harvest. There is every likelihood that farmers will have difficulty in engaging sufficient hands for the harvesting this year (says the Ashburton "Guardian"). Shearing is usually over before harvesting commences, but (his year there has been such delay owing to "the wet; season that shearing will continue right into (he harvesting sea>ou, and consequently the shed hands will not be released to swell the ranks of harvesters. There is a fair number of men in town waiting for work, but it is expected that all the labour available will quickly be absorbed, and I hut some of the farmers will be .hampered for want of assistance when harvesting becomes gnueral. There has been much difficulty in getting shearers this season, and iu sheds where the blades are used, only threefourths nf the number that can be employed occupy tho boards. One farmer at Mount Possession has only half the number of men that he is prepared (o employ, and all fanners in the gorges are shearin , ,' short-handed. Even for Laglnnor, which is fairly elose to town, there ha* been a tardy, response to the call for shearers. .Some farmers have not yet commenced to shear, ami Mr. Yv. Ohisnall, a large owner at: the Hinds, does not intend to commence till January I'D. 'With the fine weather which doiv .-'eems to have definitely set in, good progress should be made in the various sheds.

Harvesting will fooh be ffencral if (he propitious conditions continue and prospects certainly point to bountiful crops ¥0 far as South Canterbury is concerned (says the Timarit "Herald"). Alone tlie line io ]''air]ie thft country is showing <in exceedingly prosperous lace. The grass too, is fresh and green, thus serving to coinpietc a. scene calculated to convince the most pessimistic of a season of bounty to come. ,