THE WEATHER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 340, 25 February 1911, Page 6

THE WEATHER.

A DRIED-UP COUNTRY

Not for many years have the farmers of this island experienced such a long spell of dry weather, says the N.Z. "Times." In few districts is there any growth in the grass, the pastures being bare and dried lip, while the shortage of water is general. The lower Wairarapa and parts of the Forty-mile Bush have not fared so badly, while in the higher country in the central districts, where heavy night dsws are experienced, feed is fairly good. Many dairy farmers are realising the mistake they have made in not providing some succulent fodder, such as maize, for feeding to their stock in the drier monLhs. Sil- j age, especially, would be of enormou3 | value under existing conditions, j Maybe the experience will not be. 1 without its advantages, as it will force milk-producers to realise that proper provision of food for their j milking stock is imperative to success, j Tne most striking lesson being con- j veyed at present is the cfleet of green i manuring in retaining moisture in the ; soil under drought conditions. The | Moumahaki Experiment Station, which is demonstrating this fact at the present time, is certainly setting j the most valuable, example in sane i cultural methods which has yet been i conveyed the farmers of this country. j The reports as to bush fires are | somewhat exaggerated. All through j the centre of the island the smoke of j the fires is a3 a pall over the land, j but the absence of strong winds is j generally preventing the fires spread- ; ing. In several eases large areas of i grass, a3 well as fencing, have been j destroyed, but, on the other hand, the ; after-effect of much of the "burns" j will be very welcome to the settlers. Fires are so common, however, that, | in view of the great damage which would be done were strong winds to spring up, rain would be very wel- j come to settlers. j Considerable damage has already j been done by fires in fiax swamps, arid ! should the fire in the Foxton district j get into the Makerua swamp the dam- : age would be enormous, and would j seriously affect the hemp industry. j Owing to the more effective drainage |j of late years by millers and swamp- jj owners the swamps are nwe affected ! I by drought than formerly, and, consequently, more subject to damage by : fire. On the other hand, however, j there is not the rubbish in swamps | (which formerly constituted the chief , medium of danger from fire) owing ! to the better management of swamp : areas which has been general of j late. i