Codlin Moth.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 288, 6 December 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

Codlin Moth.

Ma J. Slatob, architect, who haa a con" siderablo orchard in Parnell, sends me the following communication re codlin moth and Pari3 green for syringing such fruit trees which aro affected by the grub. I

would be happy to receive any simila r Communications from other orchardists who may have tried any experiments which may have been successful:— " Deaf. Hor.TDS, — For syringing my fruib trees, which are affected by motb. I use one ounce of Paris preen and four ounces of common washing Boc'a to sixteen gallons of water. Before using, I let the Paris green and soda soak in water for threo or lour days. I. also find that the soda causes the Paris green to not only amalgamate better with the water, but ib is also held ionger in suspension, and does nob give nearly so much trouble in Looping the mixture well stirred while tho syringing ia proceeding, which is a great consideration. For ptiar and plum treo leech I find the following quautibies are very effective in keeping this troublesome insect under :—Mix together onefourth of an ounce of Paris greon and two ounces of washing soda. This, like the stronger mixture, should also be allowed to soak for throe or four days beforo using. I have noticed thab in less than an hour after using the above every leech will be dead. Two applications of the above keeps me almool; entirely free of the leech. Tho latter mixture, I have also found, is very effective in keeping under the large woolly bug which infests our lemon and orange trees." She Vloxsertae Eucalyptus. The Los Angeles "Times" says that without doubt the finest flowering tree in the world ia the eucalyptus ficifolia, which bears a flower or a gorgeous crimson hue. Aboub a dozen of these trees can be seen on C. A. Scharfl's old nursery tract, bolow Uerniosa Visfea, South Pasadena. Tha sight ia a rare one, and j well worth seeing. The beauty of the trees is not easily forgoStan. Baron yon Mueller, a noted botanist) of Australia, says in his book, " Eucalypfcographia:"—

" This eucalyptus isoce of the mosbsplendid of recent acquisitions to horticulture, and wne introduced into the botanic garden of Melbourne in 1860, where ib flowered a few years afterward, while yet only in a bushy state. Hardly anything more gorgeoc3 can bo imagined than the foresto ofi eucalyptus ficifolia about the end of Jsiiurtsy or commencement of February, when the brilliant trusses of flowers diffuse a rich rod over the dark preen foliage of the whole landscape unoccupied by the tree. This umbrageous tree seldom exceeds a height, of Sfey feet. The specific name of this gorgeous tree was chosen before the brilliancy of its flowers was known, and alludes to the similarity of the leaves to those of the ficu olaatica, the well-known rubber tree of India." Cineraria. Cineraria Hybrid.—This is one of onr best winter and spring flowering plants. It ia extensively grown in pots for house decorating:, and in some parts of the province of Auckland it is extensively used as a bedding plant out in the open border. The comparative ease, and exceeding beauty and variety of its flowers, will always place the cineraria in the first rank as a bedding and pob plant. Early in February a little light, rich compost should bo mixed and placed in seed pans. The seed should" ba sown in this, sowing rather thickly, and jusfc covered wifcb wellsifted soil. The pan should then be placed in a cool, shady place, under glass. The soil in the pans should always be kepb in a moderately moist state. The young plants willsoon make their appearance. When they have made their second set of leaves thoy should be pricked off. Those which are destined to be grown in pots should be potted ofi' into small-sized pots. After the plants have become established in the pots they can be taken out of the house, and the pots, with the plants, can be plunged out into the open in some cool, shady place. Here they may be allowed to grow for about a month. After this period, aa they may be required, remove into the house and pal; into four-inch During the time they are out in the open the soil in fche pots must never be allowed to become dry. At the time they are placed outside they will also become subject to the attack of one of the numerous varieties, of caterpillars which infest our gardens. Constant attention must be given to the picking off and killing them, or they soon tvill make sad havoc with the young plants. Whenever the plants in the fourinoh pot have fairly filled fche pot with roots they can be shifted into larger poke. Six-inch, in most instances, will be large enough for ordinary flowering. Where fine spocimens are required they may be put into eight - inch pots. To obtain strong, well-founded plants from the period they are potted until they flower the plants must never be allowed to get a check. Plenty of liquid manure must be given as they are grdwing. Another consideration, they should be placed in a part of the stage of the house where the foliage will be quite near the glass ; this will keep them short and stubby in habit. If grown at a distance from the glass they are apt to become lanky and straggly inhabit. Theplantswhile growing in the house will likely be attacked by one aphis. These can be easily killed by enclosing the plants in a box almosb airtight, and forcing therein a dense cloud of tobacco smoke. This operation is besb performed at night, and makes ib more effective ; the foliage on the plants should be quite dry. After the plants are paefc flowering they should be thrown away, as for next season better plants can be raised from seed. The cineraria on some positions will make a capital winter bedding plant. It can bo used effectively as single plants in the mixed flower borders, or it will make a grand display where a whole bod has been filled with them. To make a perfect mass the plants should be planted oub abou*i fifteen inches apart. It is only in some positions that the cineraria can be used in the open. It will only suit such positions as are not subjected to much froit. In places that are subject to frost ib should bo planted where the sun's rays will nob touch it till the heat of the atmosphere will (have melted the frost, which should be about ten o'clock in the morning. Near the sea coast, where the influence of frost is nob much felt, ib can be planted where the sun's rays will reach it earlier, and in such positions I believe the beet varieties will always be obtained. To grow plantß for the open border the time of sowing and treat-

tnenb of seedlings will bo similar to those which are to bo grown in pots; the only difference will be to ecconomiaa ! time and space. The plants should ba' pricked out into boxes, placing the plants' about three inches aparb and using thai same quality soil as for potting. Tho boxea with the plants should be kept in'a cool,; ehady place under glass till they have made 1 four leaves. Ab this period they ought toJ be moved out into the open, and allow tliem ! to harden off and grow in the boxes till' aboub the middle of May, when they can" be planted out in their permanent positions. While they are growing in the! boxes tho caterpillars will mako sari havoc if nob kept in cheek. The soil which they like 'best in the open is a, rich friable one, inclined to be retentive.! After planting out, tLe slugs will also doj injury while the plants are small, but a ; little lime used occasionally will keep them; in check. While growing;, the surface soil about the plants should be frequently: broken whonever ib is sufficiently dry to work. Seed should only ba saved from tho very best plants and flowers' so ac to be able to keep up a first-class' strain.