PASTURES AND CROPS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1474, 24 June 1912, Page 8

PASTURES AND CROPS.

OFFICIAL REPORTS FOl! LAST MONTH.

Reporting on the condition of the pastil res and crops during the pa-t month, oHicors of the Fields and Experiments I' 1" vision of Ihe Agricultural Department give the following information in Ihe Department's "Journal":— Ohakiine.—Root crops prami-e to reach a higher standard of maturity than is usual fot: the district. The milk supply lias considerably diminished within the month, and the supply for town distribution is far I'rom being equal to (lie demand. Oats in some instances, owing to had stacking and being stacked on the damp side, hove been badly damaged. It is not advisable to neglect thatching and depend 011 the stack keeping out wet, particularly so in districts where the weather conditions are uncertain and the rainfall heavy. Mangaweka.—The weather during the early part of last month was very wet and wintry. Some severe frosts took place about tho middle of tho month; this lias completely stopped the growtli of grass. Towards the end it again changed, and became very mild. There is-moro gross to be seen now than there was last year at this time. With such a good beginning farmers are confident and hopeful that stock can be carried through successNew Plymouth.—Feed is plentiful for this time of the year and stock are looking well. Stratford—During the month the weather was wet and broken, accompanied by severe frosts, which had the etl'ect of stopping the growth of grass and considerably reducing the milk-supply, most of tho factories only running every other day.

llawcra.—'Tlio cold wintry weather of April continued into the first week ot' the month, after which much more favourable condition* prevailed. Though the weather continued unsettled, with variable winds aiid light misty rains, the atmosphere has been quite warm and mild. Pastures continue to make fair growth. The milk supply is keeping up well, and all main factories'.are still running daily. AVanganui— During the month fairly good weather was experienced, the latter half of the month being somewhat humid and showery, especially towards'the end. Although there were several hard frosts, the temperature being mild, it was favourable to the growth of pastures and other vegetation. FeUding.— I The weather has been excellent there luwing been twenty-four fine days, with sharp frosts on the 24th and 28th, which should do a considerable amount of good to the kind that is being turned up, and also serve to check the pests in orchards and gardens. Threshing has been in full swing, and heavy yields are recorded, but it is rather early to strike an average estimate. Potato-dig-ging has been going 011 at. a rapid rate, and in many instances realised above expectation (viz., lfi to 17 tons per acre), and seem fairly free from disease. The crops of wheat at Paiwamii average 5S bushels per acre, one paddock averaging Gi bushels after having been cropped for twejily seasons out of thirty-three. The name'of the wheat is Federation. It can be seen that stock have more provision made for them in the Way of hay and ensilage than has been seen (luring the past three seasons. Palmerston /North.—The weather was fine during the greater part of the month, although several sharp frosts were experienced. Pastures are looking well. The open weather has allowed farm-work to bo well forward and provision to be made for spring feed. Hastings.—Heavy frcsts were general this month, with warm, sunny days. Very little rain has fallen on the low land, but the high hills haye.-heen covered with snow. The frosts have had a detrimental elfect 011 pastures, which aro not in abundance anywhere; but the weather being dry the stock are doing well. Jloro rain is required.

AVaipukurau.—The month has been very cold, some very hard frosts being exnorienecd, and bitterly cold winds, which had the effect of practically stopping growth; but the last week has been quite mild, and should it continue grass will make a little growth yet.

Pahiatua.—The month, with tlit? exception of several frosts, has been more like sprint; than wink'] 1 , and most suitable far fanning ' operations. "Where overstocked and on light soils feed is becoming scarce, but on tho heavy and limestone soils, or where understocked, there is a fair amount of grass at present. Masterton.— I The weather was eolil and showery, with frosty nights. Grass is fairly plentiful, but most of it. is rather soft "ami watery, which means that there will he a big mortality among noor-eim-ditioned hoggets. Potato crops have not done well owing to tho early frosts experienced, and the diamond-backed moth is reported to lwvo made its appearance in some of the turnip crops in (he district. The little "wax-eye," or "blightbird,'' is reported to be doing good work in the orchards and gardens this year, and is- frequently to be skui feeding off the "woolly aphis." South AVairarapa — Seasonable' weather prevailed during the month, much rain having fallen; and on the 25th, 2Gth, and 27th very severe frosts were experienced. The grass-grub has done considerable damaee in parts of the district. AVellington—The weather was somewhat changeable, but generally mild olid warm, being favourable to agricultural and pastoral operations. Though the milk-yield has fallen, run cattle and sheep are doing well. Blenheim—There has Iwen quite n strons growth of grass. In the Ilavclock and Pelorus districts the country looks particularly well for this season of the vear. Kaikoura.—The weather has been fairly good, there being only two or three stormy davs with rain, and a fair amount of snow on the ranges. There have alsa been several sharp frosts. Tanners are taking advantage of the fine weather, and are busy ploughing and preparing their land for next season's crops. The growth in the grass has slackened off considerably.