Answers to Inquiries

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 255, 24 July 1936, Page 18

Answers to Inquiries

Taupata Query.—lt is not unusual for the leaves of this plant to turn yellow after a severe storm in winter. Trim off broken branches and the shrubs should quickly recover. The “toughest plant for exposed position is Leptospermum laevtgatum. It withstands twit spray and in spring is smothered with white flowers. (“D,” Otaki.l Sweeping and Rolling Lawns. —The purpose of sweeping is to remove superfluous grass cuttings and leaves, the pre pence of which tends to temporarily kill the grass or turn it yellow. Rolling smoothes out the -worm casts and consoil dates the surface. Both operations should be performed when the lawn is in a fairly dry state. (“Amateur,” Masterton.) Ceanothus in Tubs.—Ceanothus would flower well if #ood soil is placed in the tub, the plant watered freely, and liquid manure applied in summer. Topdress with 1 to 2 inches of rich soil each year in spring. Cover the tub with sacking on frosty nights to protect the roots. (“Country House,” Pahiatua.) Cyclamen after Flowering.—Feed once a week with weak liquid manure until the leaves turn yellow, then gradually withhold water. Place it on a sunny shelf or sunny window without water during December and January. Afterward give water and when new shoots appear, repot the corm. (Mass R.L.0., Wellington.) . Malting a Lawn. —Dig over the ground and rake it level. Use a straight strip of board and a spirit level for this. Repeat the raking and rolling frequently for a i month. Finally, rake in a dressing of i lawn fertiliser, 2 ounces per square yard. ! A few days after, I‘ghtly rake the ground again and broadcast 2 ounces of grass I seed per square yard. Rake again to ; cover the seed, then roll once. The grass will appear in about a fortnight. When the grass has grown 4 or 5 inches, cut with the mower set as high as possible. Always roll immediately after cutting, and gradually lower the blades afte.r the first few cuttings. (J.8.H., Wellington.!