TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

INTERESTED (Woodvlllel writes: (I) We are troubled with woodlice in our glasshouse. There is no rotten wood about. They seem to come for the warmth and aiso eat off the plants. How could we Ket rid of them? (2) In some of our plant boxes the top o£ the soil turns preen. Why is this and how can it be remedied? —(1) Dust on the benches and under boxes some naphthalene. This will get rid of the woodlice. (2) It is a low form of plant life and usually aggravated by keeping the soil and house too damp. Ventilation and sunlight will check it. A weak solution of iron sulphate, say half an ounce to the gallon of water, will also check it. This latter can be used in ferneries and places whore it is not possible to give more sunlight.

E.R. (Mornlngside) asks: (1) ITow to grow lettuces successfully and what manure thev need? I have difficulty in getting them to form into tender hearts. (2> Mv aspidistras arc not doing well. Once before I asked but did not receive any reply. The leaves have white powdery spots on the under side, which afterwards turns the leaf brown. Altogether they are not healthy.—(l) Lettuce requires a rich soil, a soil containing plrntv of old manure or decayed vegetable refuse. When plants have commenced to grow apply a little sulphate of ammonia. Use about a teaspoonful to the gallon of water, and water the plants with this about twice a week. The surface soil should be stirred after each watering. (2) I cannot say why your previous letter was not answered. The spots on the aspidistra are due to lent spot. Sponging with soapy water would cure it.- Give the plants a little of the' sulphate of ammonia solution as advised above for lettuce.

K.F. (Auckland) asks: Will you teU mo what is the tight way to cut silver boot 1o prevent it from going to semi qnlcklyj Silver beet-should bo gathered by stripping the outside leaves, but this will not prevent it from going to seed. Silver beet: is a biennial and will flower the second year after sowing, no matter bow It is gathered.

GI..ABTA (Ohakune) writes : I have a shrub in my garden which I have had for eight years, having bought it as a two-year-old tree. It is called a Photinia Glabia and never flowered, although it looks healthy. Can you tell me the reason?—lt Is what is commonly known' as Japanese medlar, and the reason that it has not flowered is that your climate is too cold. It Is closely allied to the loquat. ATHENS (Onehunga) writes: (1) I have had an aspidistra for four years and it has only had three new leaves In tfhat time. When the new leaves come the others go brown and die off. (21 Do they need a lot of water or a little? (3) Do they like volcanic or heavy soil? —(1) The plants need fresh soil. Well drain the pot nud use a sandy soil. Keep the stem from 'which the leaves arise on the top of the soil. Only the roofs that are sent out from this creeping stem should be burled. ' Do not use a large pot and occasionally give n little artificial manure, using one of the locally compounded manures. (2) Use plenty of drainage in the pot, say quite one quarter of the pot should be drainage material, and (he soil must be kept damp, without overwntcrlng. (3) Volcanic soil is suitable. W.G.S. (Campbell's Ray) asks the cause of young tomato plants, about 10 inches high, turning black. They have been sprayed twice with Bordeaux. It appeared the next morning after the second spray. Also the ground Is covered with a miniature white insect eating bean seeds, pumpkin and cucumber. Can you state a cure? 1 noticed cabbage, beet, and other vegetables do not seem to be affected, although the Insects are there.—lt appears the spray was at fault. The white insects live on decaying matter and are only found where there is rotting vegetation, not growing. It is probably due to the cold spell and cold soil. Sow again now the weather has improved and you will get more success. U.S.It. (Devonport) writes: In your reply to a query in your gardening notes you stated that sea water for beetroot might be all right. 1 tried it out and the results were disastrous. Xot one plant lived.