TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 32, 8 February 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Imported Bulbs and Tubers (" Amateur") _ On several occasions I have imported both bulbs and tubers, and I havo always found it the best plan to plant them out as soon as they are received. By doing so 1 hava always a greator proportion than by keeping them and planting at the proper season. Tulips will likely start soon _ft er planting, but it does not much matter, tat they usually split up two or three small bulbs, and it might take you about two years to flower them. Anemones and ranunculus tubers, if planted as received, will flowei aM do well this incoming spring, aud will |iy» good tubers for next season. After planting" do not water; allow them to start natur&il? If watered, you will need to continue w*_t> ing until the usual wet season sets in.

Potato Apples ("Cosmos"). —Your potafi apples should be allowed to get perfectly rib*, before plucking them. Allow the seeds to d» slowly in the pulp, and stoic in a dry pl_J till early next spring. Then sow tn lignt -soil. inlpana or boxeß if possible. The seedhnj* require pricking on whenever they havt fully developed the seed leaves. When the plants are about three inches high, plant out in light, rich soil, and treat in asinuiat manner as an ordinary crop* Only small tubers will be produced the first year: these lifted in autumn and planted the" fauowi__ season should produce largo tubers. Pofauo seeds are only sown with a vie w to obtain _4* varieties.