CORRESPONDENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 143, 14 December 1933, Page 25

CORRESPONDENCE

MA.NUKE PROM PASTURES. W.R.H. —Manure gcather^d outside in the summer would be of liiore value than .that in the whiter, as the heavy

rains of the latter period would'necessarily wash out much of the nutrimentCINERARIAS AND ARUM LILIES. E.D,C.---Cinerarias may be propagated by side growths. The plants should be cut down after flowering and receive plenty of water. As soon as offsets appear they should be removed with a sharp knife, with the roots uninjured. These should be potted up singly in small pots and placed in a shaded frame for about ten days Gift fortnight. In this time or a little longer they should be well rooted and ready for repotting into larger pots. . . . Arum lilies should be lifted and divided while do) nant in autumn or winter. At these seasons they could safely be left out of the ground for a considerable period, or by covering them with a wet sack they would remain good • practically indefinitely. , They are very hardy except so far as frosts are concerned. SCALE ON DAPHNE, ETC. E.P. (Pnraparaumu).—Daphnes have been rather badly affected with that particular scale lately. Spraying the plant with "Katakilla" or "White Oil" would get rid of the pests, but as most of them are on the undersides of the leaves if. will bo rather difficult to reach them. , . , The mildew on the rambler rose may be held in check by dusting with sulphur. , . . Lemons frequently take several years to bear,, The trouble may be caused ,by the lack of other lemons in proxijnity to cross-fertilise the flowers. . . . Some good drought-resisting shrubs for your locality are Genistas (brooms) in variety, Proteus in variety, any of the native Veronicas, Polygala, and red or other coloured gums. There are many others the names of which would be supplied by any nurseryman. PAEONY FAILING TO BLOOM. 8.M.8, (Karori). —It is possible your paeony is planted too deep. The crowns' should be only just beneath the surface. As a rule these plants resent disturbance, but as yours has failed to flower for so many years you would bo justified in risking a move. Transplanting should be done while the plant is dormant in the winter. Thoroughly work and; enrich the spot and be'careful when lifting the old plant that the roots are damaged as little as possible. . ■ HONEYSUCKLE WITH APHIS. J,C. (Khand,allah), —Your honeysuckle is badly affected with aphis, a trouble to which this plant is very prone, thoroughly with ''Black Leaf 40,' | kerosene emulsion, or even strong soapy water, to clear the insects off. Aphis increase very rapidly and should be checked at their first appearance, r