PARCHED FARMS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 24, 24 December 1932, Page 5

PARCHED FARMS

HAWKE’S BAY DISTRICT. SUN AND HIGH WINDS. NAPIER, Dec. 23. Farm land in Hawke’s Bay is in need of a sped of rain as a result of a lengthy period of dry weather, accompanied by hot, drying winds. “The best Christmas box the average settler could receive this season would be two days of good soaking, rain,” said a hill country farmer. There is hardlv a single corner in the district which would not benefit from heavy rain nt presont, although the ryegrass growers are hoping that the fine w r eather will continue in order to allow them to get their crops cut and threshed. The threshing mills have commenced activities upon some earlier crops, and the farmers concerned will be kept busy over the holiday period.

High winds have had a greater drying effect than any other factor around this district. Windy weather, besides doing a certain amount of harm to standing crops, has browned the hill country to a marked degree and nullified the effects of what few rain showers there have been. Maiden ryegrass seed crops in Hawke’s Bay this season have in a large number of cases been badly knocked about by the wind Their present condition is likely to invest harvesting operations with more difficulty than usual. DAIRY FARMERS’ ANXIETY.

Field inspection is being carried on as rapidly as possible, and it has been found that in many cases crops which were backward at on© time havo come away quite well. The value of tire early closing of paddocks under conditions such as are ruling this season is well illustrated.

The average dairy farmer in Hawke’s Bay is feeling the pinch in respect of feed conditions for liis herd, although an endeavour is being made to counter the scarcity of grass fodder by feeding out lucerne and even hay and silage. If the dry weather continues dairymen unprovided with green feed or with supplementary fodder of some description will find themselves in a serious plight, since cow's on grass alone have lost condition and production rapidly during the past few v’eeks. Hill country, especially in the southern east coast district, is looking very parched at present. Occasional shov'ers have fallen recently in the Porangahau district, but their effect has largely been counter-balanced by that of the winds. The heavy clay subsoil which exists on of the coastal country retains the moisture for some time and the effect of the heat in drawing the moisture to the surface keeps the country green for a considerable period under dry conditions, but there is very little moisture left in the subsoil at present. EFFECT ON ORCHARDS. The continued dry conditions are also having a marked effect upon some Hawke’s Bay orchards, particularly upon those situated on the lighter class land. The effect upon this season’s fruit export, if the present weather continues, will vary in accordance with the nature of the crop. Where the crop is light the effect of the weather in retarding the swelling of the fruit will probably be of more benefit than harm, but where crops are heavy the effects will be serious, resulting in undersized crops. Tho main tomato crop is now colouring up well and local tomatoes will be again on the market this Christmas. There is every indication of a bumper crop and with the irrigation systems which the majority of growers have installed the crops have not suffered in any material degree from the dry weather.