THE WEATHER AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1515, 21 March 1882, Page 3

THE WEATHER AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

The effects of the late broken weather have been very diverse. In some respects the moist, close atmosphere, occasional showers of rain alternating with periods, bright sunshine, has been welcome." Grass lands have seldom looked better than they do this season ; in the most unlikely places there is good feed, and in all favored spots there is an abundance. No conditions could well be more favorable to the growth of root crops, for which we have ample evidence in the magnificent fields of turnip and swede which can be seen in all parts of the district. The rain, it is true has retarded /sowing operations to some extent, but it must opt be forgotten that without these shower*^ late sowing would simply mean the sacrifice of so much labour and seed. AgainsVthis has to be placed the delays, in many' cases involving considerable loss, which have been occasioned to threshing operations. In view of an early transference of the grain from the stacks to.Vthe' barn or market, many farmers have" this year neglected to thatch their stacks, .and ,the result lias proved the unwisdom of such neglect. Yesterday the weather assumed a much brighter appearance, and the probability is that for sometime wo shall have nothing but sunshine. Making every allowance for damage done and loss occasioned, there is a decided balance on the right side of the farmer's ledger. There is a good prospect of meeting the winter with a better supply of grass in the paddocks than is generally the case, added to which a plentiful supply of roots will make winter feeding (we hope) profitable. There is, unfortunately, no immediate prospect of an advance in the price of meat, but if the cost of production can be lessened the evil will be shorn somewhatof its formidable proportions.