The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1888. THE DROUGHT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2820, 11 February 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1888. THE DROUGHT.

In the summer of 1886 the Wairarapa suffered from a protracted drought, in the summer of 1887 the Wairarapa endured a still more stringent stretch of arility, and we bad somewhat vainly imagined that the law of compensation would come in during the summer of 1888, and comfort us with genial rains and fruitful showers. The unexpected lias however again happened, and we find the country not perhaps quite as arid as it was in February last year, but showing the same symptoms of drought in a very marked degree. The ground is becoming parched, and cuttle and sheep in many other instances arc beginning to sufier in condition. Fruit trees and shrubs are withering for lack of moisture, and Masterton is beginning to feel the effects of the bush fires which encircle it at this season, Every day there is some indication of danger from fire both in town and country, and, in the present state of the weather the utmost vigilance will be needed. Fortunately Masterton is not New Zealand, and we liave such a magnificent range of climate in this colony, that the drought which has troubled us of late years in this immediate neighborhood is alto get her favorable to other districts whore the vicinity of hills or of bush yields that supply of moisture which is denied us, The three dry summers which have fallen upon Masterton settlers consecutively ought to teach them a lesson, These seasons have been extremely prejudicial to the growers of fruit and vegetables and perhaps the only cultivators who have been able to make headway against them have been those who possess gardens and orchards surrounded by shelter trees. The land in this neighborhood ought to supply Wellington with fruit and vegetables, instead of doing this it fails to yield enough to furnish the local consump. tion, We may not, perhaps, for a generation get another run of dry snmmer seasons, but it would be well to be prepared for them by planting all exposed enclosures with shade trees during the coming winter. The gradual clearing ot the bush round Masterton year after year appears to bo affecting the climate and the most natural remedy to restore the moisture which we need will be tree planting in all directions. With adequate shelter Masterton may again come to the front as a district rich in horticultural products as well as in grain.