TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

H.C. (St. Helier's) writes: Several orange* I trees nre just Btarting to llower, but some of tlie leaves are turning hlack ana brittle and crumble off when touched, l do not know if it is a disease or caused by wind—lt is most probably due to a . combination of both. Citrus its need shelter. In exposed positions the growth | is checked and the result is they lau easy victims to disease, A vigorously growing tree is always more free liom attacks of disease. Spray with l" n <- sulpliur solution, I—l2o. If exposed gne a little shelter, it it is only some branches of tea-tree or pinus stuck in the ground around the trees. I ICO. (Epsom) writes: I litLVti a anemones in full llower in which buds are being destroyed by pests. J-he stem is scared almost through some inches below the bud, which collapses and j withers off. I have hunted day und.j night time and can lind no slugs, snails, caterpillars or beetles on the plants. Stirring the soil lias revealed no l>redii- | torv grubs. The soil is volcanic. flowers that have escaped are very line specimens and 1 should be glad if jou, could suggest any way o£ saving them.— If the stem is bitten through it is Probably due to the leather jacket, a dull, clay-coloured grub. A sprinkling of naphthalene between the rows or around the ! plants, stirred into the soil, will check them. If the stems decay and fall over ( it is due to rust, In this litter ease, spraying with lime sulphur 1 I—o will cheek it. CITRUS (One Tree Hill) asks for information .regarding the treatment of borer 111 lemon trees. He has also mandarin and sweet orange trees which are infested with snails. He wants something to prevent the snails climbing up Into the foliage ?—Borer can be ciiecked by linding the holes where the insect is working, easily noticed by the sawdust-like castings thrown out. With a small oil feeder squirt ill a little methylated spirits or benzine and plug the hole with clay. To prevent snails ascending the trees spray with limesulphur, I—l2o.1 —120. C.S.A.K. (New Plymouth) writes: I liaye some cape gooseberry seed germinating in a hothouse and some seedlings pricked out. (1) Should they be wrenched at all, and if so should it be done while the- plants are in boxes? (2) Ho they grow well on hillsides facing the sun ? (.'!.) Can they stand drought? (4) Is planting in clumps of three preferable to planting in rows? (5) Do they need staking? (0) Should they be pruned or pinched out, and if so how is it done? (7) What is the best manure to use on an open volcanic soil? —(1) No. Let them grow on till large enough to plant. Do not grow them in too warm a temperature. One that suits tomatoes will do. (2), (3) and (4) Yes. (5) No. ((i) I'incbing-or pruning is seldom necessary. (T) Use manure suitable for tomatoes. The following would suit: Superphosphate 3 parts, sulphate of ammonia 2 parts, sulphate of potash 2 parts. I.M.M. (Morrinsviile) writes: (1) My ranunculi have developed rust. Will I have to destroy the bulbs? (2) My lawns nre very bad with moss and I am sure it is not due to bad drainage as part of it is on a slope where it gets plenty of sun. Could you tell me what , to do to improve tliem?—(l) To control | the rust you should spray with lime sulphur, I—l2o. When you lift the tubers ' they should be dried, and before plant- | ing again soak the tubers in a sterilising; solution of formalin loz to 4 gallons of j water, for 30 minutes. Young seedlings are always more vigorous and diseaseresisting than older tubers. In' fact, the I older the tubers the more difficult to keep j them free from disease. When replanting choose fresh ground. (2) Give the lawn a good hand raking. A tine harrowing would not be too hard. Then give a good liming and topdress about an inch deep with good soil. Moss is often the result of the surface becoming hard and impervious to air, with the result that the 1 water can only soak in very slowly and I although the drainage underneath is all right the surface is practically water- i logged. The above operations may give you the impression that the lawn is spoilt beyond repair, but lawns need the surface scratched or broken every spring i if they are to retain their vigour.