BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 93, 14 January 1919, Page 8

BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS

FARMING OPERATIONS AFFECTED. The chief trouble resulting from the' almost continuous rainy weather (says an exchange) is the general upsetting of tho shearing in Otago. Tho experience is common throughout the whole district—the northern parts as well as tho southern. Reports show that the shearing is late, by a month to six weeks. No doubt the influenza epidemic was chargeable with part of this delay, but the main cause is the weather. If fine weather sets in from now it is not too late to elieac If the wet weather lasts, there may be trouble about getting the clip from tho sheep in some districts, but there is no call to worry i about that at present. All the grain crops are late, but not so late as to give the farmers reason to-fear n, general failure. A "few patches of wheat put in for patriotic reasons on land that is not well suited for wheat may suffer, but the oats and barley are safe so far, and'eo is tho wheat on the wheat lands proper. The turnips are not coming on well. In .ser.eriil districts the first sowing is a failure for the want of warmth, and in this wet weather the ground is not ready for a second sowing. Tho rape crop",in North Otago is giving, no pro'niise'at'all. .'

These adverse conditions have had the effect of lowering the -prices of sheei). ', In consequence of the threatened failure of the rape crop for lambs, and the probability. of a shortage of turnips for winter feed, wethers have dropped in value by about 4e., and lambs are down by from 2s. 6d. to 3s.