CROPS IN NORTHERN OTAGO

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2666, 11 January 1916, Page 8

CROPS IN NORTHERN OTAGO

The Oamaru "Mail" of Wednesday last state's thajj never was a good rain more urgently aieeded in North Otago than at present. This is not so much on account of the grain crops, which are practically past redemption, but for feed. Stoclc is suffering severely. The lambs are not doing at all well. The great bulk of them will require to bo fattened on rape and turnips, and it is for these crops in particular that a couple of good days' rain is required. Some farmers have sown both rape and turnips two or three times, but while good brairds wore obtained, the young plants have wilted away for want of moisture. There is a big area at present under these crops, and if a good rain were experienced the feed problem would be in a fair way to solution. But unless'a copious rain' comes soon tho position must become more serious, and proportionately very, few lambs will reach a condition fitting them for export, while there must be a heavy mortality amongst stock generally. The meeting of the North Otago Beekeepers' Association, which was to have taken tho. form of a field day at an apiary at Alma, will now not_ be held owing/to the deplorable condition of the industry. All around that district, bees arc dying for want of feed and are robbing each other of the little honey that have already stored. This civil war is seriously thinning their ranks, and dead bees are numerous outside all the hives. No better instance of tho extent of the 'drought could be cited.

A 'gentleman who has been pretty well all over North Otago informs tho Oamaru "Mail" that the cereal crops, taken as a whole, must be classed as decidedly poor. Here and there crops that, in such a season, may be ranked as good are to be met with, these being situated in favoured Many fields will not be worth cutting, and the average yield from those that reach the threshing machine will be low. Root crops are looking fairly well, and if more rain is experienced, they will prove the salvation of the rural industries of the district. t 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 description that money is made to-day, and by concentrating one's efforts on all details of our business we claim to be able to produce results for our many cream suppliers. We ivant more cream. Can you supply us? Further particulars, Wariganui Fresh' Food Co.—Advt.