THE CBOPS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1495, 30 November 1878, Page 3

THE CBOPS.

A considerable feeling of anxiety is now being manifested as to the prospects of the harvest of 1878 9. Owing to the protracted drought which has prevailed over the east portion of the Middle Island, the progress of the grain has been somewhat suddenly checked. The growing of turnips during the past month has been a matter of absolute impossibility, and sowings which have been made have been wasted. In several instances the cattle have been turned on to the grain crops, and on a large farm near Ashburton, the oilier day, three large drills appeared to bo putting in grass seed over a grain crop. A fall in the barometer is daily and anxiously watched, but instead of rain ensuing the winds have been move boisterous and damaging in their nature than any previously known or noted by the oldest settler. Not, only have there been instances of crops blown out of the ground, but scorching nor’-westers have blighted the (lag and sapped the root-moisture to an alarming extent. The extent of land in crop is this season wider than ever, particularly in the tract of country ranging from the Eukaia to Waitaki. A large amount of new land has been cultivated between the Hurunui and the Waimakariri, of which the best crops are met with along the Waikari Valley, Ashley Downs, and the banks of the Eyre and Waimakariri. The crops of Avon, Southhridge, Lincoln and Ellesmere districts do not show the same signs of suffering as those do towards Upper Ashburton. Near the seaboard and along Longbeach they are backward, but a rain would recover them. The Qrari and Tomuka crops still keep their color, while those in the Pareora and Wairaate districts look thinner than usual. Near Oamaru and out to Maerewhenua and Awamoko the evidences of loss of color are very slight, and there are fewer irregular and sickly looking fields. Through Shag Valley and Palmerston the green appearance is very refreshing, and here the slight showers have maintained the vigour o the crops. Prom Dunedin, exsending up the Taieri Valley and along the Silverstream, the crops, which are a month behind those of Canterbury, hayo not suffered very materially. The winds have done somo mischief, but the light ruins last week have tended to improve appearances. Over the Tokomuiriro district the crops, though thin on the ground, do not seem to have sickened, and a good rain will bring them well forward. The lateness of the crops here is rather hailed as a good sign. In central Canterbury hay cutting has commenced. The grass crops are everywhere light, and there is likely to bo a difficulty experienced in providing for stock, if the pasture lands receive no moisture within the coming week. There were evidences of rair yesterday, but they seem to have pas^d

away. A d <v’n or two days’ wet weather at at! ,•!juncture would soon restore i,lio | a-* tu t s, bu'< its effect on the crops generally would not realise the favorable hopes expressed four weeks ago.