TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 242, 9 October 1920, Page 20

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Hl-:im;k lOnelmnsni sends a specimen for idemitir-ntion, ami asks: What Is tlie name i>f It. wlii'ii is Ihe lime d> cut it bark. nuU if nil bark nruiilil ll thiekru at the Imiup?— TUi- plant is hakea siilinua. a well known hedge plain. It can ln> cut. back nt. tills time of tile year, and will thit-kcn out at base if ■•in fairly hard. HATTAIT (Cnmbrldce) axks how to treat wattle seed liefora snwine, when io st>«. and what variety to smv fur shelter.— Tho best variety is the blnek wattU (Acacia dc'urreusi. It slumld he sown in October. To prepare the seed put it in a tin and pour on a kettle nf bolltiis iwlw. ("over the tin with a sack, and let it stand twenty-four hours. Then pour oil" sand or soil, so as to make It easier m handle, ■then sow it at once. Do nut let it dry again. H.AV.,I. (ronsonby) asks for some intornin. tion as to the rultiire of 'he pernn out: whether suitable for N.Z. climate, and age at which trees hear?— The pecan nut Is hardy in Auckland, and ■•nlture no rt treatment is similar to that recommended the walnut. They riMiuirn a deep, rich soil, and do not fruit until of v fair age. that is. from ten years onwards. They are often grown from seeds, bm the best and most fruitful trees are obtained l\v grafting selected varieties upon seedling stocks. They arc lurpely growu In Texas, tho Gulf States, and Mexico, but this country except as isolated Fpedmuns. F.L. writes as follows:—We iinicli appreciate your very valuable aud useful hints re garden inn. We cut out every Saturday's Cardcnlnß Hints, and ale them. It Is now assuming the dimensions of a garden guide, and is very handy for reference. Would you answer tbc iollowlns:— ll) Is it risht to put unburnt limestone with potatoes'; <-) UoeH it mutter if manure Is put in sol only a few days prior to usin? this lime . (3) Will it do any barui if It comes in contact with seeds or young plants. (II ■When Is the best time tv use it ana how? [T>\ What is the name for It—(1) Ground limestone can be used with potatoes It will do no harm, and If the soil is short of lime it will do good, (i> -Not in the least. |R) None The ?ust befo e rc U disgi L nß the ground. Scatter It broadcast over the surface, (o) The right name to call it is what it is, ground limestone. t THE GREENHOUSE. WORK FOR OCTOBER. Work in the greenhouse should now bo well forward, and the permanent plants starting into active growth, terns are throwing up their new fronds. Adiantums are liable to have the new fronds eaten out by elugs before developing; care must be taken to rid the house of°the9e peets. Tubers of marantas, caladiume, achimenes, and others that have lain dormant throughout the winter, and gloxinias and tuberousrooted begonias that have been reserved for later uses should be started early this month. Shake the old bulbs and tubers out of the old pots and repot in small ones, using a compost of loam leaf mould and eand, with a little powdered charcoal added. Water must be given very sparingly until the tubers start into growth. Tie and regulate climbing plants as they require it. Repot coleus as they advance, in growth, using a very-free soil. Cinerarias and perpetual carnations still continue to give a good display. Calceolarias are now coming into bloom, and require a good deal of attention at this stage, as they are subject to the attacks of gre«n fly. It Ls always advisable to fumigate the. house to kill aphis on these and other plants. Pelargimhune are nowbeginning to flower, and will be a feature *tn the floral display. Petunias, especially the. double flowered kinds, are Bhowy plants when in bloom. A few pots -of mu3k are always appreciated. Gloxinias are making good growth, and when in their young stages must be treated carefully; do not water over the foliage. Primulas that have completed their flowering should be removed from the greenhouso to some shady spot outside; thie gives room for young plants that are coming on, and saves waterings. Hanging baskets tilled with feme and other suitable plants greatly add to attractions •oi the house, suspended from the raftere or roof. All fast-growing plants should receive an occasional watering with manure waters. FUCHSIAS. There are few more graceful-looking pot plants than fuchsias, and few more easy to grow. For the (lower garden they are also fine, especially if the lower branches are kept cut off so that a standard with a clear stem of from 2ft or so is obtained. Crown in this manner the drooping flowers show oil well. Young shoote about three inches long, taken ofl' now and inserted in a light, candy compost, soon root. These when rooted, if planted or potted in rich soil, soon make fine plants, and can be used for greenhouse or outdoor work. There are. no plants which make such line subjects for growing in windows or on verandahs. Fuchsias need abundance of water and manure vrliun growing. PROPAGATING PERPETUAL CARNATIONS. The following is an answer given by a prominent English grower of these plants to the question, "What system do you adopt in propagating Carnations V" "The cuttings are inserted in pure sand of medium texture, not too tine nor yet too coarse. As soon as they are rooted they are potted into the 2Jin. sizes. If left in the sand they are ruined. For this first potting plain loam is used, with one-sixth each of wood ashes, sand, and well-deca} - ed manure, all run through a i-in sieve. For the second potting a little bone flour is added.' .