THE GARDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4419, 12 July 1884, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

[By Hortub]

. ( : .:) Calendar qf Operations, July 12'

(llobtus is willing to answer any queries. Correspondents must give their full names and addroflsoß, though not for publication.]

TO CORRKSI'ONDKNTS.

Apple Hi.iuht (Itibstone, North Shore].—The receipt wusprinted in the Melbourne " Leader by Mr W. A. Williamson. In a late issue he stiU further explains: Caustic pnlnsh is the articlo that I reeomniond, and is the prino'pal constituent in my blight speciile. The caustic potash is not injurious lo vegetation. To animal matter it, ia as lire itself. Insect life, is at once destroyed by a more touch. It is therefore necessary to be careful in not allowing it to touch the Mesh. My mode ot use was as follows : Say ■llba of sulphur in an iron pot, mixed with sutllcient water to conveniently stir while boiling fur twenty minutes, 'lhen add lib of caustic potash (dissolved in water. whilo hot. and as much colza or other vegetable oil as will make it into a thick paint. Then, when warm, with a largo paint brush daub it for about tho space of a foot around tne butt ot the stem of the tree. The rains will wash it into tho roots, and the oil will tend to preserve its strength for years. If you try tho above, obliae by making tho result known thiough those columns.

Lecturk on Skkiclu.tuhe (H.G.. Parnoll).— Your question was asked Mr Mos3 In the Parnell Hall hist week, lie could not answer it. I have no knowledge on the subject. Perhaps if you applied to the Audit Otlieo. in Wellington, they could supply the information.

Orchard (J.J., Auckland).—l would ad visa you to purchase some good work on tho orchard. It would bo imposbiblo for me, in the space allowed for correspondence, toifo atony lotiKtli into tlio matter. Uesidcs, I lutvo already deal! with all tho points raised In former Issues of the pawr. If you put a few pointed yueslions I will bo happy to Biiswcr J'OU. UtiAUt'uro the Gakdun* (Tiles. Aueklapd).— Find tho lowest point of your ground. Sec that it is tit h sutlleleiitiy low level to clear tho drains, llicn ascertain what fall it has, and in whut rihvetion. or divc'iimu tlmt fall is. The Inr.wst mm drain tlio always ought to ho put in tho drain with thu lowest level, and the, auxiliary may start either at right angles or diagonall} up tho face of Iho undulation or declivity. 1 prefer diagonally, as you are more certain of cutting all the bands of cluy which underlie (he surface Your place is lurgo, and the quantity of water from the house at times will be large. Nino inch tiles tor mums will be required: three inch tiles will do for the auxiliary drains. 'I he depth of the main 4 foot: auxiliary, :f feet. You sny the understratum is stitt'eluy. To bo ihoraughly cll'eetive, your drains will need to lie IS feet apart. Your drainage would Imve been better done in <!ry weather. As you are not gmng 10 do anything with the garden this season, leave the drainage "11 late in the spring. Mosh on Fruit Tubes ll'arasito. Newtown).— Your query in one of the most important cuiineeted with the culture of fruit trees. 1 give you, therefore, n lung article on the subject in the body of this column. It will he of use to a large number of fruit growers as well.