FARMING IN THE MANAWATI

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 62, 6 December 1919, Page 14

FARMING IN THE MANAWATI

UNSEASONABLE WEATHER. During the past we?k the weather has been most iinpropitious for farming operations in the Manawaln and surrounding districts. Cold, biting winds have alternated with hailstorms, while at night several sharp frosts havo occurred. In tho higher binds towards tho upper roaches of the Manawatu River, owners of newly shorn sheep have suffered severely. At one farmer lost over eighty owes, whilo near Ashlmrst (mother lass of over 70 owes occurred, and at Tiriloa a farmer found over fifty lambs dead. On tho hill lands there has doubtless been a considerable loss of sheep and lambs, but particulars nre not yet available. Tho marks of the frosts are to Ik? plainly seen in various directions, tho potato crops having suffered sovercly. What ltttlo rapo has already come into leaf is looking wilted and brown, and tho strike of green crops generally is very poor. If the weather does not get fairly warm soon, thero can be no doubt that'stockmen will havo another trying time during next winter. A few weeks ago the cattle were picking up in condition, but in many places they aro now going back. On account of tne scarcity of feed tho largo entry of store cattlo and sheep at tho opening of tho Farmers' Distributing Company's new saleyards at Marton. on Thursday, met villi a very dragging sale, and a fair proportion of the yarding was passed. The only demand experienced was for fairly forward lines of steere, and well-grown young heifers, tho latter meeting the best sale.

A large amount of land is being turned over in the Rnngitikei district, and quite a number of really well-tilled fields are to bs noticed. Tho grass, however, has not the healthy appearance that it should have, lit this time of tho year, and there can he but littlo (substance in it. There is no sign of the flush of feed which is generally looked for early in December. Near Sanson, however, there are some very fine crops of ryegrass which are being savpd for seed, and these should prove very profitable. Although a fair amount of moisture fell during tho early spring, tho ground is looking dry, more especially on the down lands where a very hungry appearance ie noticeable. Most of the oat crops are stunted, and many of them are coming fnto ear on an extremely short stalk. This will mean that chaff will bo scarce during the coming winter. Snow has fallen on the higher lands round about Aniti, -Kimboltnn and Peep o' Bay, and shearing operations have had to be stopped.