GOLDEN RAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1920, Page 4

GOLDEN RAIN.

DOWNPOUR REFRESHES COUNTRY. BRIGHTER OUTLOOK FOR FARMERS. The spell of dry weather experienced in Taranaki broke early on' Saturduy morning with heavy showers of warm rain, and there was further rain yesterday and last night. The downpour will help to wash away the anxieties of the farmer caused through the depleted feed, should gladden the hearts of horticulturists, and in addition be readily welcomed by the householders, who have been eyeing their kitchen garden plots with some misgivings. To an essentially dairying province t/he value of the rain in butterfat, so to speak, is the most important point, and, to Taranaki, it is truly golden rain.' ■■,„■ ~..., Feed generally was in fair supply up till July, but a succession of frosts, followed by dry weather with intermittent cold winds, had left the pastures somewhat bare, and many farmers have experienced much anxiety on this score of 'late. In a good number of instances, it is reported cattle are in poor condition. A spell of mild weather, following the steady rain, should have a beneficial effect on the grass areas. There appears to be a feeling on the part of many that the dilemma in which some dairymen'have been placed is the result of overstocking of the grass paddocks, coupled with the failure to crop sufficient areas to provide feed for winter and early spring use. The neglect to make the quantity a little extra in view of possible emergencies has been a common one, but a lesson in this direction lias been provided in the experiences of one or two unfavorable seasons of late. Speaking to a Daily News reporter on conditions generally, a New Plymouth gentleman connected with the industry expressed the opinion that the position which had arisen of late had been really worse on the Plains than in North Taranaki.' While moat farmers provided a certain amount of winter feed, some settlers on the Plains have been relying to a great extent on the quality of their land, expecting to get through the winter on rough feed, but the climatic conditions experienced had been exceptional, with the result that they found themselves in an awkward position. In North Taranaki,, however, it was the rule to store a quantity of winter feed, though the root crops generally have not been satisfactory this season. The fall of rain, he added, has come at an opportune time and a steady revival should result.