TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 28, 3 February 1899, Page 8

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Fig^ Trees Bearing Many Small Figs (G.G.).—Fig trees here will always produce a number of small figs if they are not checked. The best way to do this is to allow from four to six*figs to form at the extremities of the shoots, and to pinch out the bud at the end of the shoot. This will stop it from extending and forming more fruit. After tha bud is pinched out the wound will bleed for some time, but it will soon stop. After the bleeding is stopped, the sap will assist in swelling the figs left to a much larger size, and they will also ripen better. As at the present time the second crop is now rapidly- formingtry the above upon one of your trees, and note the difference of that tree f'-om the others. Those that are left unpinched will go on extending their shoots and forming- small figs until the cold weather checks their growth.

Aphis, Scale, or Mealy Bug (J.M.).—One of the best emulsions for use in the greenhouse, or window on plants affected with aphis. *eale, or mealy bug1 is prepared by adding one part of fir tree oil to five parts of kerosene, and diluting the mixture with water according to the insect to be fought. For scale and mealy bug, use 20 parts of water to one of the mixture, syringing i^, all over the plants infested. For green and black aphis, use 40 parts of water. To produce a thorough union of the oils and water, put them in a bucket and mix well with a syringe for a moment. Some florists who have used it think it cures and prevents mildew. It is preferable to the old kerosene emulsion, in which a portion of slightly sour milk was used, because it can be prepared with so much less trouble.