TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 209, 3 September 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

MT. ROSKIL.L writes: I sowed a row of Acacia vortlclllata and ono of African boxthorn nbout three months ngo. So far neither bus grown. I have found out since that the seed was sown too early. Could I redigaiul sow acacia In place of the boxthorn, or would the pre-viously-sown seed germinate in thn season?— Scratch away the soil and find some of the seeds, and, if still Round, you may lie assured they will germinate In due time. Personally, I do not think you have any need to fear that the seed will not come. However, make sure by examination. If seed appears to be dead dig and resow at once. FERNS (Mt. Albert) asks how to raise ferns from seeds? —Ferns are raised from spores. These arc best sown on pnns of sterilised soil. Well drain a pan or pot. Both seed pan iiud drainage material should be dipped in boiling water or some disinfectant to sterilise and kill spores of lichens and mosses. Make a compost of ono part loam and one part leafsoll, one part sand. Fill pot or pan and press firmly. Flatten the surface with a piece of board, then thoroughly soak with boiling water, and. let stand till water has partly soaked away and soil is cool. Sow spores as thinly as you can. Cover with glass, and over this n sheet of paper. Stand In a warm, shady position, and keep soil moist. To apply water stand pot or pan in a basin of water, and nilow the moisture to soak up by capillary attraction. The points to remember are: Perfect drainage, sterilised soil, shnde, and even temperature. Soil must never be dry. Never apply water on top. AMATEUR (Waltakere) writes : I will have potatoes ready to dig the first week in September. Will I be able to sprout the seed from them In ten weeks from digging. (2) How long does it take for basic slag to take effect? (8) Also super? (1) I should say ft would be quite possible. After digging leave the tubers on the 801 l for a day or so to green, then box them. If the weather Is dry in November, when you require them to sprout stand the boxes on a damp sack or such like, also covering with a damp sack would excito the tubers to sprout. (2) Basic slag is slow acting and probably docs not become active much under three months, but it continues to be effective for months. This is why it is mostly used for topdressing during winter. (3) Superphosphate can be considered as effective in about a. month after applying, and will continue effective for some timo. Climate and soils make a difference in the length of time before a manure becomes effective, and also its lasting qualities. NEW CHUJf (New Lynn) asks: What is the cause of turnips growing pulpy and tasteless?— You need to use more nitrogenous manures, such as sulphate of ammonia. Turnips as a table vegetable need to bo grown ouickly and are best when very young. During summer they should be sown every fortnight and nre at their best from six weeks to two months old. lTor winter use sow in April nnrt again in May. Row again in July and August for spring crop. A turnip about thn sizo of a cricket ball is largo enough for the table. Anything beyond this Is best boiled for the fowls or dug in as manure. When the seedling turnips have made the first rough leaf, sprinkle a little sulphate of ammonia nlongsidc, but about two inches from thn row. Nitrate of soda is quicker in uction and can be used in place of the nmmonia. Any of the locally compounded vegetable manures can be used, in which case thny arc best applied at the timo of sowing. The point is, turnips to be good require to bo grown quickly, and therefore need a quick-acting and readily available manure. LEARNER (Auckland) asks: What arc the colours of the following roses?:— Mad. Butterfly, pink and apricot; Angele Pernct. orange yellow, shaded rod ; Souv. dc Georges Pcrnnt, orient rod, shading to carmine: Elizabeth of York, pink; Richard E. West, yellow; Everest, white.

CO. (Klngsland) : Thanks for letter re keeping birds off seedlings. Will publish next week.—(Ed.) GRAFT (Sandrlngham) : Will publish article on grafting next week.— (Ed.) NEW CHUM (Grey Lynn) asks If there are any varieties of dwarf lobelia with white and red flower. —Lobelia White Gem is white and there are so-called red varieties, although the colour may not be vivid enough for a colour scheme. I think you would have no trouble In getting fhcm locally. GARDENER (Rcmuera) asks: Is rock salt of any value In the garden, and If bo for what can it bo used?— Some qf our vegetables, such oa cabbage, cauliflower, beetroot, asparagus, seakale, being native to the coast, benefit from the use of salt. Any form of Bait can be used, provided it is in a powdered form, so as to be easily applied. BALLARAT (Glen Eden) sends a esmple of soil and says it will not grow lettuces, onions, cabbages to perfection.—lt Is nitrogen In an available form that is lacking. Use for the crops mentioned sulphate of ammonia. As soon as the plants have made two true loaves, or, if transplanted, when, they have commenced to grow, eprinkle a little sulphate cf ammonia alongside, but about two laches from the plants. Use only about one ounce to sis yards run of row. The manure can be dissolved In water and applied as a liquid manure, using one ounce to four gallons of water. Nitrate of soda can be used in place of the eulphatc of ammonia. Blood and bone should give resulte on your soil, as it supplies nitrogen in addition to phosphates.

COPEI-AND (Eden Terrace) writes: (1) Please tell me the name of the insect which deposits enclosed egg cases I find on my trees? (2) How con I get rid of antsy (3) Best time to sow scarlet runners?—(l) They are the egg cases of the "praying mantis," a beneficial insect that should be protected-. It is of a bright green colour and often called a grasshopper by some people. It receives its popular name of "praying mantis" from the habit of standing still in one position, the only movement being a nodding: movement of the head as if making obeisance to some object. (2) The best means of getting rid of ants is by using a mixture of two parts sugar and one part powdered arsenate of lead. Scatter the mixture In the tracks of the ants. Keep the mixture away from children and animals. (3) October is soon enough in a cold position. CONSTANT READER (Point Chevalier) writes: I have two lemon trees about eight feet high and six feet through. As the trees arc spreading into a hedge T would like to move them out about three font. Bo you think it would bo safe, and If so, -when is the best time?— You can move- the trees with safety now, providing you use care. Move them with as large a ball as possible. Dig a trnnch around the trees and then work the soil away underneath at a depth of about 18 inches, so as to leave the ball of soil quite free. When finished you should have a ball about three foot across and 12 to 18 inches deep. If you are moving the trees forward dig out a connecting trench between the old and new positions, and with a sack cut open and placed round the back of the ball you cun pull the whole thing forward into the new position without any lifting. If the tree has to be lifted work a sack underneath it and then lift out the tree by means of the sack. This will be morn than one can manage on one's own. When in the new position put good soil round the old ball and ram tight. If the weather comes dry give the tree a good soaking. Under average conditions the tree should move and hardly show any effects of it.