Failure of the Grain Crops

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 262, 4 December 1903, Page 4

Failure of the Grain Crops

The Hawera Star's Manaia correspondent sends the following to his paper :—" I have 75 acres of oulß under crop, and I will take as many shillings for its chance," said a wellknown fanner on the plains yesterday. '■' We all expected this season to be a record one, but, unfortunately it will be an the wrong side of tho ledger." Three fanners, who go in extensively for grain cropping, were congii-cjgfe.ted near the saleyards, and were exchanging experiences as to this year's crop. The general verdict was that not ti bushel of grain will be harvested' this season on the plains. Crops which a week ago looked in Uhe best of condition are now fast turning into the sear and yellow leaf. The pest that hag caused this state of affairs is described as a sort of yellow rust, Vut, on walking through the crops, the rust does not, as is usual, cover one's clothes, and this is what the farmers cannot understand. In many instances, large areas under crop are completely ruined, and the cattle will be turned in. It simoly means "ruin" to a few. Jn so'nio cases it is the intention to graze down the crop and put in turnips. The fell disease not only attacks the ordinary grain crops, but the maize suffers as well. Even peas, planted many chains away from the grain crops, have been attacked, and die off in the same manner. J,ate crops and early are affected alike. One of the farmers, who last week attended the Palmerston show, said he noticed the remarkable appearance of the crops all along the line, and he could not understand it, but his own crop has now given hini a solution to the problem. The matter i.« a puzzle to grain growers, and an txpert should 'be sent forward by the Government to investigate things. One farmer on the plains, who requires about 100 bags of on is per year for feed, and whose crop in now valueless, has wired to the South Island for his next year's supply, which he says he can now purchase at Is Gd per bushel. The outlook is gloomy for both large and small •grainig'rowers.