TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 20 May 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

LIUUJi (Oncluinga) asks: Could you tell me how to treat cream*coloured Brunsvigias; they have not flowered for two years. 1 planted (lie bulbs singly, tlie tops level with tho ground, soil is heavy loam, and foliage perfectly healthy and green, but they will not flower. Alongside a pink one (Josephine) planted exactly the same, flowers every year?— I can give no reason why the Brunsvigia does not flower, except that the bulbs are not old enough. Seeing that the pink one flowers every year there can be nothing wrong with the soil or position. Ido not know of a cream variety of Brunsvigia. CLIFF'S K'ftNET (Takapuna) asks: Is it advisable to plant potatoes during winter in a sunny or shady position. The site is subject to southerly winds? (2) The tubers have long shoots on them, should these be all or partly rubbed oil: before sprouting? (30 What difference does it make planting now with the shoots on, and waiting to get the green sprouts? (4) I have any amount of horse and cow manure, also wood ashes. I give the drills a dressing of wood ashes and hoe in, then manure the drill with cow or horse manure. Before earthing up I give a further dressing along each side with wood ashes. is this right or can anything better be done? (5) I wish to grow ehokos next season, hut I cannot find them offered in any seedsman's catalogue, so I presume you purchase the plants? (fi) Is there any special variety to plant and when? (7) What treatment docs the ground require?— (1) Plant the potatoes in any open sunny position. Potatoes do not like shade, even thick planting where the tops give a thick shade to the ground is not conducive to the best results. The frost remains longer and strikes harder in shady position. (2) It dejtends upon how long the shoots are. Put the tubers in boxes and stand in a full light and the shoots •will soon green. If the shoots are very long they are best broken off, as the chances are they will be broken or bruised and will die oIT. (3) It is estimated that there is three to four weeks in the time of maturity in favour o£ sprouted seed. (4) No. (5) You purchase seeded fruits and these are placed on a bench until a shoot grows out at the end. They are then planted. A sandy soil in a warm dry position is required. (G) No. Planting js done about November. (7) Well digging and manuring.

STEVE (Devonport) •writes: (1) I am interested in botany, ami would lie pleased if you would describe a quinine tree to nie? (2) Would one grow in vulcanic soil? (3) Could you advise me where I could see one? (4) .Have you seen one growing on Rangitoto? (5) If 1 send specimens to you will you name . tliein? —(1) It is an evergreen tree growing up to 30 feet liigli, with shining leaves somewhat similar in shape to a willow. Quinine is extracted from the bark. The correct name of the tree is cinchona. (2) It should be hardy about Auckland. (3) No. (4) No. (5) Yes. N.B.C. (Northcote) writes: Will you tell me when to manure outdoor vines. What manure is best for them?— Apply the manure about June or .luly. Use superphosphate 2 parts, bonedust 1 part, sulphate of potash 1 part, nitrate of soda 2 parts. Apply the sulphate of ammonia in early spring when growth commences. The manure can be applied after pruning if pruning is done about July, Allow about eight to sixteen ounces to each vine according to the size and crop.

T.F. (Rotorua) writes: My young daisy plants have gone yellow. It looks like rust, some are quite dead. Please say remedy if any?— Spray with lime-sul-phur, 1-120. Due to a leaf rust, but it is "easily controlled by one or two sprayings.

D.M. (Pukekohe) writes: Could you advise me the best way to treat land for potatoes which at present has just grown pumpkins. The area will lie planted in potatoes in July?-—The best thing would lie (o give it a ploughing now, and after a week or so io give it a cross ploughing. If the area is small it can bo dug. The ground should he well worked and harrowed so as to be in a free condition.

GGGC.B. (ronsonhy) asks: (1) How fir apart to plant tho following: Amarantbus, dwarf petunias, larkspurs, dimorpotheca, clieirantlius, allonii, nemesia? (2) Can double chrysanthemums be grown from seed? (.'() If the seed of diantlius are sown in the spring will the plants flower in the autumn? —(I) Aniarantlius 10in, petunias 12in, larkspurs I Sin, dimorpotheea Din, cheiranthus 12in, nemesia Sin. (2) Yes. c Sow in spring. (3) Yes. I