COPIOUS RAIN.

Shannon News, 30 January 1923, Page 3

COPIOUS RAIN.

BENEFITS SOME; INJURES OTHERS

The two following paragraphs from the Marlborough Express .shows how the recent, dieavy ruins aiiect very unierenUy the pasioraiists and the growers 01 crops:—

"The outlook throughout Marlborough from the pasioraiists' point or view is a particularly pleasing one, ,ior as a result 01 uie copious rains whioh have iailen during the past ie\v weeks, the country on all sides is very bright and lresli, m hlarked contrust to the condition- oi ailairs usual at this time pi' the year, and there is an abundance or teed, promising a most excellent season. Settlers in the Wairau Valley—and, indeed, ill most parts of the province—are carrying more stock than their places are usually capable or dealing well with at this season, and others find themselves with feed to spare, so that there is a more than ordinarily healthy demand lor store sheep. This fact, cdmf bined with the recent rise in the southern markets, 'is responsible for the advanced prices which have been noted at recent'stock sales in the district. .In sorne of the localities, the feed is rather on the sloppy side, but as a general rule there is'" plenty oi substance in it. "Evidences of the havoc caused in the harvest fields throughout the Marlborough district by the recent heavy rains are to be seen on all sides, and it is quite plain that those agriculturists who have been caught in their harvesting operatoins will suffer very heavy loss. In many cases wheat in the stook durnig a fairly prolonged spell of wet weather, interspersed with short dry and sunny spells, has commenced to sprout and at the best will only be lit for the fowl wheat market. On all sides the pea crops are. to be seen practically ruined, for many oi them have been cut since about Christmas, but the weather has prevented the completion of the harvesting. As a result the pods are now bursting and Scattering their contents broadcast. Philosophical farmers realise that the scattered peas will make excellent torage for their stock, but that is little satisfaction to those who were looking forward to good crops."

The rainfall varies in Taranaki. During the last week-end's deluge, Hawera recorded 4.20, inches, whilst Ma*naia, but nine miles away, registered an inch less. In New Plymouth" the fall was 4.86 inches. Startford topped the list with no less than 7.0 inches. The rainfall at lnglewood frbm 9 a.m. Sunday to 9 a.m. Monday was 7.0 inches.