SCARCITY OF GRASS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1725, 16 April 1913, Page 10

SCARCITY OF GRASS.

WEST-COAST SHEEP PASTURES

■'-Although:! the- rninfnlj during the summer and 'autumn has been fairly regular,''tho- majority of farmers oil the „Wesfc',Cot»st arolnot too well provided with grass 'to see -their flocks -through tho Winter. .' This year's scarcity of feed has been .brought about by several contributing causes, . which were unavoidable. In 'the'.first..place .tho unusually wet spring prevented .thei-sowing of tho ordinary ar&is of rape'in.many localities, and tlieni tho slaughtermen's. strike brought about' iinforseen' difficulties necessitating delay jri sending way. fat sheep and lambs, and 'a consequent'.depletion of the already restricted .fhlteniug crops, many larincvs i Ijeing forced to use up the fodder on tlio 'fields' 'r&S'ervpd;' for store and breeding 'slicep/The iecent rain# started the grass growing 'rapidly, but the cold snap experienced "during'the past two weeks has had. a bad effect on pastures, and tho ,'present prospects for good winter feed are <nat very encouraging. ■ As a. result mauj "farmers are shy'of mn-kniff, purchases ofstores and breeding ewes "as freely as "usual-,hf this,time of tho year and it is the 'opinion of a. good many -that-lower joints will "l>o raised nest year. At tho »sa'mfc '.time' there is said to bo iv goo<l demand for stock "for newly-settled country ;on. tlio Main Trunk line, so. that the market prices are well maintained. J hoso farmers Who have been fortunate enough to provide any considerable ■ area 01 turnips aro well off, and expect to reap a [ rich reward later on.