DROUGHT CONDITIONS ACROSS THE TASMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 176, 15 October 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

DROUGHT CONDITIONS ACROSS THE TASMAN

HUGE STOCK LOSSES A UCKLAND and Taranaki farmers, blessed with a mild climate and copious rainfall, are in clover compared with the men on the land across the Tasman. A report issued by the Central Meteorological Bureau of Australia states that although the rainfall was over the average in parts of the southern inland districts during August, no relief from the continued dry conditions was afforded the greatest part of New South Wales. The report discloses that the position in the pastoral and agricultural areas is, for the greater part, unsatisfactory. The crop over the western fringe of the wheat belt is a failure, and in the central and northern areas can only have partial success if saved by early rain. The wheat position in the Riverina and south-west slopes is, however, much better, although good early rain is needed to ensure a good crop. Feeding Stock While stock in some places is said to be good, the condition in general is only fair, and much scrub cutting and hand-feeding had to be resorted to in the drier parts. Stock in the western district is poor, and is dying in places. There are practically no pastures, the rivers are low, and water is scarce. It is one of the driest seasons on record. Crops are reported to be doubtful on the north-west plains, while stock is being hand-fed, or removed for agistment. There have been many losses, and water is scarce. Withering Pastures Rain is also badly needed on the north-west slopes, where pastures are

scarce and withering’. Crops are poor, and will fail if there are no early falls. Stock is fair to poor, and there is much hand-feeding. Although stock is fair on the northern tablelands, condition is being lost rapidly. Pastures are scarce, and crops backward. The milk yield is low on the North Coast, and pastures are short, and the water supply is low. It lias been a hard, dry winter, and crops are poor. There have been many severe frosts. Many Frosts The water supply is sufficient in the Hunter and Manning district at present, but there is no growth of crops. There have been many frosts, and

stock is fair, but falling off. Similar conditions prevail in the central tablelands, where, however, rivers and banks are rather low. It has been a bad season for growth. The water supply is now in the cen-tral-western slopes, and herbage is drying off. Crops are backward, and stock is in fair to poor condition. Severe frosts have been prevalent. Crops are patchy, and hand-feeding is general to stock, which is in poor condition, on the central-western plains. There is no growth of pastures, crops are patchy, and the water supply is getting short. Brighter in South Crops in the Riverina are mostly satisfactory, but early rain is wanted. Shearing is in full swing, and stock is fair, but losing condition. Pastures are making slow progress, although tanks and dams are low. Pastures are short but green, and growing slowly on the south-west slopes. Crops are patchy in parts, but mostly fair. Stock is fair to good, and the position has improved in this district. On the southern tablelands the water supply is sufficient. Stock is fair to low, and growth of pastures slow. August was a frosty, dry month on the South Coast, although the water supply is normal. Crops are progressing slowly, but there is little growth of pastures. Stock is in poor condition generally, and dairy cattle are being hand-fed. A tiling that must be kept in mind when giving medicine to cattle is the great strength of their molar or grinding teeth; this makes it necessary, when drenching them, and using a glass bottle for the liquid or medicine, that care must be taken that it is not crushed between the teeth. Warts can be removed by mixing sweet oil and sulphur to form a paste, and applying two or three times a day until they drop off. Quite often warts are clipped off with shears, and the stumps painted with iodine. Some men twist warts off with their fingers, and then paint the stub with iodine. Warts very seldom return when <|.is practice is followed.