WEATHER AND THE CROPS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10551, 6 February 1912, Page 5

WEATHER AND THE CROPS

WAIRARAM REPORTS. Inspector T. C. Webb, of the Agricultural Department, reports as follows for the month of December on the effect of the weather on in the Gastlepoint . and j Akitio Counties:-heavy.-downpours of:-rain, with hail \ occurred times' during. \ the month, with Csomevery cold, nights',, and; an ' occasional frost, which damaged tomato and potato crops. Considerable further damage has b?en done to'fruit.-, which- is- much ,-Jo.ver -in ripening this season. The backward <season has had one advantage to farmers in connection with the late sowing of ewedes, as many farmers rio-wlin'tend to so r swsdes on the stubble land. The area to. be,,laid; down in 't-ftis way wnl be much greater than was the case last season, .Shearing has been clayed beyond all expectations with the very w.*>t seasou experienced/ and Very okl settlers state'it is the wettest 'season known for over twenty years." ■ > Inspector S. C. ivens reports from Carterton as follows: "December commenced with boisterous weather arcl fj-crpfirrplly heavy showers of, rain, the wind veering from north-] west to south-past", and at times blowing with hurricane force. The oldest settlers do not remember having ever had such a continuation >of heavy gales. In some cases the oat I crops were beaten down by,the wind, j jDuring the latter 'part of the .month j ilica.vy rains were" experienced, with 1 more or less wind. 'Pastures and! crops are looking fairly well." I