THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1485, 10 January 1882, Page 2

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Not very long ago the farmers in this district were crying out loudly for rain, and uttering doleful predictions regarding the state of the crops owing to the dry weather. Now they have had a surfeit of it. Not indeed that the quantity of rain which has fallen lias been great, but it has come at a very inopportune season — at a time when grain crops are ripening—and the consequence is that much of these has been beaten down. In the case of heavy crops of wheat, and we are glad to know there are many such in the district, the loss will be considerable, as much must necessarily be lost in reaping. Nevertheless we hope to see a very satisfactory yield this season, one that will give the encouragement needed by our farmers lo induce them to embark more extensively in the growing of white crops.Ro far as the hay is concerned, there is little hope ■fcliai; muck of it will be mowed in prime condition, uuless it be the later crops. Year after year, as if by some fatality, the hay harvest is attended by broken and often course weather, and it is only by the most careful management that the crop can be got in. Unfortunately too, it is just at this season that the Christinas holidays intervene, so that at the very time expedition is most necessary, little or no labor beyond what is comprised in the farmer's own family can be depended upon. It appears doubtful whether any effort to prune the Christm is holid iys can be successful, but none the less we cannot blame those who have been exerting themselves in this direction. Root crops appear to be doing extremely well ; a field of carrots shown to us a few days ago being especially good. Potatoes are doing well and grass appears to be abundant all over the districts.