THE CROPS IN OTAGO.

Temuka Leader, Issue 350, 5 February 1881, Page 3

THE CROPS IN OTAGO.

(Otago Daily Times.) In the Green Island district, our correspondent writes, the crops are considered to be heavier than they have been for many a season ; indeed in many instances, on account of their weight, the crops of many fields will have to be converted into oaten hay. This is particularly the case in bush land. The quality of the grain is excellent. If the present weather continues the harvest will be general in a few days. The green crops, without exception, look excellent, a 1 though in some fields there are vacant patches caused by the operations of birds. There will be an ample supply of winter food for cattle. A correspondent a t East Taieri informs us that if the present weather continues harvesting-will her general in the Taieri in the beginning of next week. As to the quantity and quality of this season’s crop, the verdict is unanimous that better there have not been for a number of years. Wheat is ripening rapidly, and several patches have already been cut down ; while preparations on every Tr side are being made for the operations \ of the reaping machine. Grass is abundant, and stock are rolling in fafc. Towards the north Taieri, although the soil'there is somewhat lighter, the same cheering appearance of-heavy crops is manifest, the only discouraging prospect To't'/e hard-wrought farmer being that after his labour and expense of cutting slacking, and threshing, the price realised will not be equivalent, to the labour bestowed. The ravages committed by the Acclimatisation Society’s pests are only too apparent, more especially where a field is ripening contiguous to bush and hedges. Whenever a field begins to ripen, clouds of the feathered pests descend, the grain being consumed and the chaff only left on the stalk, having the appearance as if done fijr a blasting wind, i