GOLDEN RAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1921, Page 4

GOLDEN RAIN.

FALL THROUGHOUT TARANAKI WEALTH TO THE FARMERS. I MILK SUPPLY WILL IMPROVE. Rain is reported from all parts of Taranaki and from the Wellington and Canterbury districts. The break in the long spell of dry weather in Taranaki occurred on Friday night, and early on Saturday a heavy downpour set in. Early this morning further useful rain fell. It is stated on reliable authority that the rain represents hundreds of thousands of pounds to the producers of Taranaki, and it has come at a time when it has saved the turnip crop. In the New Plymouth district the change was comparatively brief, for it cleared on Saturday afternoon and it was fine yesterday, but the rain was sufficiently heavy to do a great amount of good, and it spells wealth /or the district. Speaking to a Daily News reporter last night, a gentleman connected with the agricultural industry said I one of the most important benefits of the rain was that it would revive the milk supply, which had been falling off. and if the dry weather had continued the position would have become bad. The rain was also very timely for the crops, such as turnips, while it will start the hay paddocks with fresh green grass. Most of the hay is in, and as most of it has - been cut since Christmas this is the first rain to help the new grass. 1 large number of settlers depending on lambs were very short of water, and here again the rain h'as brought relief, while in drenching the bush fires in has removed another anxi- ' ety from the farmer’s burden. Though : comparatively brief, the rain has given > a good soaking to the country, while • the town gardens have been thoroughly refreshed.

It is several weeks since Taranaki experienced a good rain, but after threatening to rain two or three times the downpour has fortunately come at last, and at time of writing a heavy fall has continued for some with every prospect of more (says Saturday afternoon’s Hawera Star). The rain has come just in time to save considerable loss, as pastures and crops were showing the effects of the dry weather, while the town’s water supply was in need of replenishment. The rain should mean much to farmers, and an increase in the milk supplies should soon follow with the renewed growth of grass which the rain will cause.

Eltham reports that rain set in on Friday night to the joy of dairy farmers- As the result of the continuous dry weather, the milk supply has been rapidly diminishing, and the root crops were languishing. The rain has brightened the prospects. Stratford reports that on Friday night rain commented to fall in earnest, and it continued throughout the night and on Saturday Farmers welcomed the rain for the sake of their stock and root crops, which were badly in need of moisture, while the grass lands were beginning to show a brown tinge and withered appearance. The milk supply may be expected to revive slightly as the result of the rain, which at Any rate will assist to keep up the factory returns longer than the previous prospects promised. The necessity for rain was more obvious “down the line” than in the immediate Stratford <ist/ict, the verdant pastures whereof, compared to other parts was most noticeable to visitors. Gardeners are specially delighted with the improved prospects of their “cabbage patch.” A Press Association telegram from Wellington says there was a heavy fall of rain on Saturday, doing a great amount of good in the parched areas. The fall appears to be general in the southern portion of the Wellington district.

RAIN IN CANTERBURY,

ALL CROPS STIMULATED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The heavy rain that fell over Canter-

bury yesterday has completely changed* the agricultural outlook, for most crops were showing the effects of a long succession of dry nor’-westers and warm days. To the farmer the rain is In the nature of a Godsend. Although the cutting and threshing of oats is well under why, it is not too late for many of the late crops to receive the benefit. Barley, wheat, and peas will also be stimulated, but probably the main effect will result in the case of potatoes. There has been a danger that the yield of honey would be low, but the rain will completely restore the position.