THE LACK OF RAIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2655, 29 December 1915, Page 8

THE LACK OF RAIN

PLIGHT OF THE SOUTH. Of South Island conditions, the Dhristchiirch ."JJress" says:—, "Tho year 19U was an eventful time, but the year. 1915 has out-distanced it in many respects. We have to go back to 1897 . to lind a parallel .for; shortage of rain. : We have only had a little over 14 inches of rain during the twelve /months, or a similar quantity to that which fell eighteen years ago. The outlook a year ago was bad, but it is even moire so at the present time, as the soil is so.muck drier than it was then, and on that. occasion a timely raiii about tho Now Year converted the grain crops from a probable failure into one of the most -prolific harvests 'we have had. The wool grower has every reason to bo satisfied with the market no far this season. Although the wool is much lighter than usual,- the prices have reached a record level, and up to 20d. has beon,.realised at the local sales, while 17dl', 18d., mid lOd. wore fairly 3ommon f figures. In the North Island 2-td. has been - reached. Although, the market is a little steadier than at the

opening of the soiling season, it is •** nevertheless very firm, and with a better demand from Home buyers, it ap- < pears; as if the remainder ct tho local : selling season.hliould see a continuanco : of high prices. . , ' : "At the time of writing the outlook, : so far as the :season is concerned, is - far-from satisfactory on tho East Coast of the South Island from Blenheim near- : ly to DuncdiUi The absonce of winter ■ rains;, and with only showers in ,the spring; and summer to carry on crops Mid grass, the growth lias been limited, and a severe frost early, iti this month did. a- considerable amount of damage.

to \vlicafc and potato crops particularly. A good rain would yet help;'many : of I"''-.' the crops, tliough others are beyond recovery,. being top far advanced the oats.harvest .'having 1 already commenced. 'The outlook.for iho. sheep farmer is even mora serioxis'tlian for the grain .'farmer; ar, there is not only a dearth of feed at present,'but the prospects'of getting 'l'- --' :in fodder-crops are very doubtful. The ' dry season of. 1897-98 was not broken : iip till the end c-f .February of the latter j ear, and if we get rain fairly early, in. - ' the coming .'year, tho warmth of the soil will'i promote, a good growth'Of feed before ; the'winter, but it will mean that &W®i4he "export season will again ho a late onb r but from a different cause than V'-: - last year. The dry .. season has also. it, : /affected the ckirv farmer, .who, while'. ' petting record prices for his produce, is not, by reason of the shortage of feed, able'to-take full advantage of the opportunity." , ■ • f : . ■ vl ~ ~ ~ ' Tho Stratford Dairy Company paid out last week the sum of £13,000, being the November payment of Is. per lb. butter-fat and a bonus of 4d. for September. The Lowgarth Company paid out £5181, being November payment and a bonus of one' and five-eighths pence on last season's butter-fat. \ There "has been a ereat demand for the " celebrated Victor cheese vat during the past few months; anyone requiring new • vats are urged to write immediately to the maker, as material is extremely short. Albert J. Parton, Carterton .—Advt. Never has the demand for clear-headed, constructive thinking in business been —so urgent as it is right now. We are living in, a progressive age, and must take advantage, of all up-to-date methods. . It is in savings from waste of any.dcscrip r V .• tion, that money is made to-day, and by concentrating one's efforts onall details of our business wo claim to be able to produce, results for our many cream sup- . pliera. !We want more cream. Can yon, :■ v ■..■ supply-'is?. Further particulars, \Vanga-' nui Fresh Food Co.—Advt. For BronoWal Coughs and Colds, Wood' Qreai Peppormint Cure, Is. 6ii