THE CROPS IN CANTERBURY AND OTAGO.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 28, 18 December 1878, Page 3

THE CROPS IN CANTERBURY AND OTAGO.

We gather the following information from the Christchurch Press of November 30 : —“A considerable feeling of anxiety is now being manifested as to the prospects of the harvest 1878-9. Owing to the protracted drought which lias prevailed over the east portion of the Middle Island, the progress of the grain has been somewhat suddenly checked. The growing of turnips during the past month lias beeu a matter of absolute impossibility, and sowings which have been made have been wasted. In several instances the cattle have been turned on to the grain crops, and on a large farm near Ashburton, the other other day, three large drills appeared to be putting in grass seed over a grain crop. A fall in the barometer is daily and anxiously watched, but instead of rain ensuing the winds have been more boisterous and damaging in their nature than any previously known or noted by the oldest settler. Not only have there been instances of crops blown out of the ground, but scorching nor’-westers have blighted the Hag and sapped the rootmoisture to an alarming extent. The extent of land in crop is this season wider than ever, particularly in the tract of country ranging from the Rakaia to Waitaki. A large amount of new land has been cultivated between the urunui and Waiinakariri, of which the best crops are met with along the Waikari Valley, Ashley Downs, and the banks of the Eyre and Waiinakariri. The crops of Avon, Southbridge, Lincoln, and Ellesmere districts do not show the same signs of suffering as those do towards Upper Ashburton. Near the seaboard and along Longbeaeh they are backward, but a rain would recover them. The Orari aud Temuka crops still keep their color, while those in the Pareorn and Wannate districts look thinner than usual. Near Oamaru and out to Maerewhenua and Awamoko the evidences of loss of color are evry slight, and there are fewer irregular and sickly looking fields. Through Shag Valley and Palmerston the green appearance is very refreshing, and here the slight showers have maintained the vigor of the crops. From Dunedin, extending up the Taieri Valley and along the Silverstream, the crops, which are a month behind those of Canterbury, have not suffered very materially. The winds have done some mischief, but the light rains last week have tended to improve appearances. Over the Tokomairiro district the crops, though thin on the ground, do not seem to have sickened, and a good rain will bring them well forward. The lateness of the crops here is rather hailed as a good sign. In Central Canterbury hay cutting has commenced. The grass crops are everywhere light, and there is likely to be a difficulty experienced in providing for stock, if the pasture lands receive no moisture within the coming week. A day’6 or two days’ wet weather at the present juncture would soon restore the pastures, but its effect on the crops generally would not realise the favorable hopes expressed four weeks ago,