TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 225, 23 September 1898, Page 3

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Frlckly Comfrey.-F. O. Irvine, Epsom. —The roots of prickly comfrey for ' planting can be obtained by applying to Mr C. T. Wren, Remuera, and prob- ■ ably from other nurserymen, but the proper time to plant them is the autumn or early winter. However, thoy are very hardy and will no doubt crow whenever planted if sufficient 'moisture is available, but the seta would not produce much forage planted so' iate as now until next season. Prickley comfrey prefers cool, moist situations and grows well on land shaded by trees' Jt would grow well In the Kpsom district wherever the ground was not too dry. In planting comfrey, dig holes from a foot to 18 inches across and IS inches deep, and fill up with half rotted dung with some of the soil on top. These holes should be about 2h feet apart each way. whicli will give about 50 hills to the square rod. In I each hole plant one set, covering with i two or three inches of earth. The plants •will give four or five cuttings in the year when once established. The fodder is best used chaffed along with hay or straw. It Is a difficult plant to eradicate once it is established in the soil, and therefore the best place for it is some odd corner or small field which cannot well be otherwise utilised. A quarter of an acre of comfrey ■with a little grazing will almost keep a couple of cows in milk.