WEATHER IN CANTERBURY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3094, 18 January 1909, Page 5

WEATHER IN CANTERBURY.

SERIOUS DAMAGE TO CROPS THREATENED. By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, January 17. A heavy southerly gale blew all last night, with incessant rain, and the weather generally is causing the farmers uneasiness. Not only the harvest, which should be in full swing, has been delayed, but serious damage is threatened the crops standing and in stook. The rain of December was ample for requirements of the grain op, but rain has fallen almost every day since the New Year, and the grain in stook, especially barley, has already suffered. Samples of early oatss and grass seed on offer show that they have suffered from unfavourable climatic conditions, and reports from all districts speak of grain laid by the continuous wind and rain. This will add to the labour of harvesting, reduce the returns, and deteriorate the quality. Farmers want about six weeks' summer weather to save the crop, and if the present conditions continue any length of time, the great bulk of the grain will be only of secondary quality. Sheep and lambs fattening for market also feel the effects of the continuous rain, and pastoralists complain as well as grain farmers. Should a change for the better come now an unusually large number of sheep will be available this season for export.