THE COCKSFOOT CROP

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 86, 4 January 1918, Page 8

THE COCKSFOOT CROP

RAIN DELAYS HARVESTING. Tho continuous wet weather is decaying the commencement of reaping, ;..'and is greatly benefiting tie sample of seed to be harvested this year, and tho will now have an opportunity to out and mature (states the r.Akaroa "Mail"). Provided there is ••••not too much wet weather, the rain - tend to make the. sample; heavy. " Tliero are two distinct crops which .vfippearto be soparated only by about '£a fortnight, and tho second crop, which aftor tho first heavy rain, has got the flower on it. In most jjjipaddocks the second growth is much strongest, and thereforo it is this .•.need that will bo reaped. This has .delayed the commencement of reaping -for a fortnight, though in some loeali- ■ -ties where tho first crop is being reap- -* ed , viz., Le Bon's and Wainui, a start •will be made to reap the low-lying pnddocks this week - ' The labour problem, though stTii . rather serious, is very much easier, as j ' a good quantity. of outside labour is ..-.-offering, while tho military authorities . .aro granting extended leave to local •VSinon in camp until the barvost is in. There are many inferior crops, and a " good crop is an exception. The heavy southerly winds and hail have done ' "considerable damago, and in some cases 1 much of the crop is badly bleached. , ,-.Tha harvest this year will probably „ only equal that secured last year, 7 .though _ the samplo should bo heavier. ..-The rain has brought up a strong ■ -growth of Yorkshire fog in the lower ■ seed especially, but tho higher pad- • docks aro dearer.. The prices offered seed brought forward havo advauc'''ed steadily, and the highest is at,6no a pound exclusive of weight and colour. This price was; given for ....? good crop on the higher level, which '.„;is looking well. ,