THE WEATHER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4769, 29 October 1924, Page 3

THE WEATHER.

ABSENCE of spring conditions. RETARDING PROGRESS ON PLAINS It. is now almost November, anil Christmas is only eight weeks off, yet go far none of that fine warm weather usually associated with spring has been experienced on the Hauraki Plains. Certainly plant life has given an indication of the season, and odd days have been wholly fine, giving rise to the hope that the cold, wet days so prevalent ofi late had passed, but almost invariably the days that have followed have proved that winter has not yet gone. Each time that hopes have been thug raised and shattered the disappointment has been greater, for on an area such as the Plains the welfare of the settler depends to a very great extent on the we.ather. Not only has the present year, had an abnormal rainfall, but, what is .worse, it has been a year with an abnormal number ofi wet days. This, on a district where no amount of artificial drainage can be made to equal the natural drainage of rolling country, is just what is not required. The ground has had little chance to dry, and is still almost, as wet as during mid-winter. The cultivation of the soil has been greatly restricted, and many farmers who have planted seed report that it has rotted. Pasture is coming away slowly, but it contains more moisture .than nutriment, and consequently the yield of butterfat is below what is should be and the amount of sickness in stock excessive. A spell of warm, sunny weather is urgently required to dry up the land and promote a growth of good pasture. Then the amazing fertility of the soil will be demonstrated and the Plains will blossom out and justify the name it. has won.