Farmers whose crops have taken a battering from hail face worse news with the bad weather set to continue into next week.

Roland Hill, of J and J Produce, estimated more than $40,000 of goods had been lost as hail decimated soft-leaved crops.

He said: "I've lost a lot, around $10,000 to $15,000 lettuces, tomatoes and spinach, even young carrots plants and seedlings.'' Dave Forbes, of the Weather Service, said: "There's not too much in the way of precipitation over the weekend but there's more on Monday and Tuesday so we get a little bit of break and we're right back into it.'' Mr. Hill said: "We've gone from droughts to floods. You can never have too much rain, but I hope there won't be any more damage. There's not much left out there.

"I lost a whole field of crops in Somerset, one half was lettuce and one half was spinach. It's totally finished.

"The hail puts holes in them and the sun turns them into black spots. It's unsalable, not fit for human consumption. Red and green leaf lettuces took a beating because they're so soft. Even hard rain rips leaves off.

"But weather problems are natural in this business. There will be a shortage of spinach. It's a good money making product. Everyone likes to eat spinach.

They will take the embargo off importing it.'' Other farmers reported harm to crops.

Nancy Wadson, of Lukes Farm, Southampton, said: "We lost beans. The rain pretty much obliterated them but our lettuces are OK. We needed the rain but not that much.'' But the Weather Service said despite the cold turn the weather was not exceptional for this time of year.

Mr. Forbes said: "We started the month considerably warmer than normal then it got colder than expected -- average that out and we're right bang on for this time of year, but you can't do that.'' He pointed out that although Saturday's low of 44.9 degrees was a January record, temperatures had yet to beat the all-time low of 44 degrees. Mr.

Forbes said: "I have to guess that this is winter.'' Those still searching for warmth against the chill face a tougher battle after both Gorham's and Masters reported that they were out of kerosene and have no idea when they will get more.

Strong winds and choppy waters meant some ferry runs had to be cancelled this week.

Ferry supervisor Terry Spencer said yesterday: "Today we had to cancel some of the Warwick aget ferries. You get heavy gusts and then it dies down.

"Passengers should call us before setting out and commuters should listen to the radio news, but sometimes we don't get time to put our message out.

"We may not know until the pilot gets down there and makes a decision after finding out what he's up against.'' However, it was a happier picture at the Airport. The only hitch was that the lunchtime flight from Canada was delayed an hour because of snow at Toronto airport.