LITTLE RAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 January 1941, Page 4

LITTLE RAIN

WAIRARAPA DISTRICT MISSES

HEAVY FALL

CONDITION OF STOCK GOOD

LAMB WEIGHTS ABOVE AVERAGE

Although rain was fairly general throughout the North Island and the northern portion of the South Island on Friday night and Saturday, little fell in the Wairarapa, especially in the area around Masterton. On Saturday dark clouds obscured the sky and a brisk heavy shower fell in the middle of the afternoon. On the eastern side of the town the shower lasted up to ten minutes, but west of Queen Street it was of very brief duration. Thereafter a few light showers occurred. At Solway. Mr H. M. Boddington recorded only five points for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m. yesterday, though elsewhere the fall would bo at least several points more than this. From farming point of view the rainfall was negligible, but so far. the weather conditions have not caused district farmers any great concern.

“The general condition of stock in the Wairarapa is good." observed a well-known farmer this morning.” and farmers are facing the dry period with much more confidence than they have for years past, because the growing period has been exceedingly good On one dairy farm, for instance, for sonic years past the flock have had to be fed from about December 20 to keep up production, whereas this season the feeding out did not start until about January 7 That means that frosh feed has been available for two or three weeks longer than is usually the case, which means a good deal for sheep country farmers. It is when the country is browning off that the stock do well. Some of the hill country is noW drying up and fat stock buyers are being asked to make their drafts without delay. The weights of the lambs this "seasen have been very good, in fact, they have been above the average for this district.” He added that rape crops had been adversely affected by the drving winds and burning sun.