THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2678, 6 November 1882, Page 3

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

ASHBURTON. For many weeks past the farmers in the districts between the Rakaia and the Rangitatahave been anxiously watching the growth of their crops and inwardly praying for a good downpour of rain to supply the cereals with the necessary amount of moisture to enable them to outlive the dry parching winds usually experienced in the early part of the summer. On Saturday they, as well as others similarly circumstanced throughout the Canterbury district, had their wishes gratified While a considerable quantity of rain fell during the winter both north and south, the rainfall in the Ashburton district was comparatively light, and with the exception of a little bad weather about the end of May and the beginning of June, and a bit of a storm a couple of months ago, the rainfall has been confined principally to light showers of rather short duration. The showers, however, have been of frequent occurrence, and the dreaded nor'-westers have so far been more than usually lenient, and sparing in their sweeping devastations. The fine weather experienced has conduced to a successful and prolific lambing season, and while the sheep breeder has much cause for congratulation, the hopes of the grain and root grower should also run high. Between the Rakaia and Timaru, including the area uuder crop from the hills to the sea, the wheat is looking remarkably healthy. A few paddocks are a little backward and a bit patchy, but generally speaking the signs at present of a good harvest are very promising. Between the Rakaia and Ashburton, all round the Flemington, Waterton, and Longbeach districts, and in many paddocks round Tenvuka, Winchester, and Geraldine, the wheat is in a well advanced condition, of good color, and strong vigorous growth. Much of the newly sown grass has suffered considerably from grub and also from want of sufficient rain of late; but the principal portion of the wheat has been sufficiently advanced to well cover the ground, and the want of rain has been felt more on account of the feed than the wheat crops. However, any want that might hitherto have been felt, either on account of wheat, grass, or root crops, has now been amply supplied. The weather on Friday morning promised to be unusually hot, but the wind changed, and late at night a steady downpour of rain commenced, which continued without intermission all day Saturday, and up to a late hour in the evening there were no signs of any abatement. It will be of incalculable benefit to the farmers. KAIAPOI. Saturday's incessant downpour of rain must have cheered the spirits of the agriculturists, who were wishing for moisture on their crops and grass, though no doubt it was very inconvenient to the visitors and townspeople on the market day of tho week. SHEFFIELD.

A very heavy south-west rain set in here about 9 p.m. on Friday night, and was still falling steadily late on Saturday ni«-ht. The rain has done an immense amount of good to the growing crops, and farmers are so far jubilant of their harvest operations.