THE CROPS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1834, 29 December 1888, Page 3

THE CROPS.

The crops in this district are, upon the whole, very backward. When first sown, the cereals, had abundance of moisture and came away splendidly, giving promise of a good growth. Since then the weather has remained very .cold and unseasonable, so much bo as to almost stop growth altogether. The only really summer weather we have had has been during the past week or ten days, and as a consequence the harvest will this season be late. In the Kakahu and Pleasant Yalley districts, where the land is rather cold, the backwardness is, with a few exceptions, very pronounced, and plenty of wheat and oat crops are out in ear while still only from eight inches to a foot high. In the Woodbury and Peel Forest districts the crops are patchy, that on warm sunny land being of a fair average quality, while on the low lying aijd cold land it is checked and stunted in growth. In the immediate vicinity of Geraldine Mr Postlethwaite has some large blocks of oats that should yield very good returns, while on the road from Geraldine to Winchester Mr A. McKenzie has a fine well-headed, even paddock of wheat. There are also several good paddocks of wheat down this road, while on the rich land below the Orari, and down torfards the ocean beach, by the South Kangitata, there are some splendid crops of wheat and oats to be seen. The root crops are, upon the w]aole, looking well. Potatoes have.been planted extensively, and notwithstanding their having been severely cut by the extremely late frosts the yield should be good. The last few : days have been all that the farmers ' could wish, although the ■howery; weather has somewhat interfered with; shearing. Heavy rains at night with warm sunny days have given everything an excellent start, and vegetation in the district is luxuriant in its new growth. Feed, too, is coming on well, and what with good prices ruling for wool, grain, and mutton, the prospects of the farmers are decidedly rosy.