THE CROPS IN ASHBURTON COUNTY.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1805, 3 December 1879, Page 3

THE CROPS IN ASHBURTON COUNTY.

Prom a flying survey of this portion of Canterbury our reporter is of opinion that sun is much needed to complete the good work done by the rain. In the heavy low lands crops are very backward, but the dry plains, that last year, where the shingle was close to the surface, were a dreary desert studded with a few thin miserable straws, are now a mass of luxuriant vegetation, and the soil is so well shaded that the sun cannot easily extract the moisture, and will no doubt give a rich return to those persevering farmers who, undeterred by the failures of previous seasons, have “ tried again.” The following are a few remarks on the various parts of the district between the two rivers : EANGITATA. The crops in this neighbourhood are very backward indeed. The grass is in great profusion, but is so soft that the cattle hardly seem doing so well as one would expect, as there does not seem to be the same nutriment in it that there is in the plains’ grass. Undoubtedly owing to the great rainfall this year the dryer the ground the better for the stock.* Ohatmoss and the neighborhood—For this low-lying swamp land there has been far too much wet, and Mr Scott and his neighbours long anxiously for some good dry weather. As the crops stand at present there is tremendous straw, but what else there will be without the wet soon ceases it is difficult to prophecy. LONCBBAOH. Here again a good spell of dry weather is sadly needed, for the crops are very backward, and where very early sown are in some cases not getting on at all well, as the ground has hardened on the surface, and thus caking has prevented the young shoots from springing. Some of the later sown crops are coming forward very fast, and will in all probability be harvested before the first sown. As at Eangitata the grass generally is very soft and wanting in nutriment, the cattle not looking half so well as the luxuriant vegetation would lecd one to expect. WAKANFI. In this part of the cou‘ ty are many magnicent crops, but there is far too much straw, and if the damp continues blight is to be feared, and till the grain gets into flower rust. The heads will in any case be long, but with too much wet will only be half filled with an inferior class of grain. If, however, fine weather ensues, of which there appears every probability, there is no doubt the harvest will be a remarkably good one. BBAPIELD. The present is just the season for this district, and crops are looking as well as any farmer could possibly desire. They seem very forward in this neighborhood, and no doubt the first samples in the market will come from this place. HINDS, ABOTB THE BAIL WAY. A great part of the land here is still in its natural state. In the lower farms the crops look wonderfully well, but near the hills have just a tinge of that sickly yellow color which is caused by too much rain. In some instances the ground is sour, and keeping back the crops.

lOBKS AND THBOUGn METHTEN, Here the crops are all that could be desired, the season exactly suiting the land. There is a very large area in grain about Methven, and the district will no doubt make a good name for itself this year. Since the new railway is open a large proportion of the crop will go to the South Eakaia Railway Station. SOUTH BAKAIA, This being an old settled place there is not so much crop, but there are some grand fields of grain. Sheep farming, for which the land is admirably adapted, is the principal industry. There has been no want of water felt this season, and this, no doubt, has to a considerable extent influenced those opposed to being taxed for a water supply. The wells, however, are very deep, from 60ft. to 100 ft. in many cases, and as there are no running streams, it is probable that as stock increases the difficulty of getting water will be much felt in some localities. BETWEEN BAKAIA AND ASHBUBTON, UPPBB SIDE. Here the crops are as a rule splendid. This part of the county is that which will derive the greatest benefit from the County Council’s proposed water supply scheme. THE GBABB CHOP. The grass for seed is in many instances nearly ready for cutting, but the seed is very dark in color, and it is doubtful if it will command good prices without dry weather sets in. The blades are very long, and in some instances seem to have outgrown their strength, but taken as a whole the yield should be good and the supply of hay will be abundant. THE GEAIN PBOBPECTS. The earliest sown barley on suitable land is very forward, and some will be cut by Christmas. That first in the market will no doubt fetch a high price till the brewers’ requirements for malting purposes are satisfied. There is a good stock of oats still in hand from last year, and the present year’s yield promises to be so large that prices will probably keep low. The wheat crop looks as if it would be much later than usual, say a month. Tbe objection to this is that it will be likely to get Home too late to profit by present high prices, as the next English harvest will be at hand before it can be delivered. No doubt, however, it will open at a higher price than last year, though buyers say the question is at present a difficult one to answer.