CARE OF FRUIT TREES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19133, 26 September 1925, Page 4 (Supplement)

CARE OF FRUIT TREES.

SHELTER AND SUPPORT. In orchards that are at all exposed all newly-planted trees should be securely staked before they start into gr»»»*h. In such positions this is best dom> as soon as the trees are planted, as they soon commence to make young, fibrous roots and injured by the action of the wind if left unsupported. Seldom has the necessity of this been more in evidence than during the present season, for no matter how carefully and firmly planted, such fierce, searching winds rarely fail to so sway the treos as to form large puddleholes around the collar of the plants. After staking, a piece of cloth or sacking should be placed afound the tree whnre the tie is made so that the bark cannot be injured by chafing. This done, the soil around the trees should be lightly forked or hoed over so that a nice, loose surface is formed. Encouraging Fruit Yields. Older fruit-bearing trees should have every encouragement given to them. As soon as weather permits, the soil should be well broken up and a good dressing of good, stimulating manure applied. Effectual spraying has bfeen difficult aa the strength of the material applied has been to a great extent annulled by the heavy rains. This is especially the case with peaches and nectarines, which, in many cases, appear anything but' promising, in many instances the trees being almost denuded of flower buds. For unately the season of flowering is later than usual, so that many of the varieties may escape such uncongenial conditions. Transplanting Fruit Trees. All transplanting operations slsould be completed without further delay, though in season such as the present it is a question whether trees planted now will not succeed better than if planted when the soil is sodden with water. The later the trees, are planted, however, the more care is necessary in either mulching or keeping the soil around the trees frequently stirred. Grafting Fruit Trees. . Trees that have been grafted should be occasionally looked over and, where any grafts have failed, others can be put on. Apples and pears take readily grafted any time during the present month, provided the scions hav<j been secured and kept practically dormant. Budded trees, if not already done, should be cut back to just above the bud. This cutting-back is sure to result in numbers of young shoots growing out below where the budr. are inserted. These require to be removed from time to time, the object being to divert the sap into the development of the scion's budi. TO CORRESPONDENTS. A.R.G., Giabbrne.—Specimens to identify are:—JSo. L Atetrosiueroa tormentoa*, the native uohutukawa. oiflers sughtiy tiom tne true type in having rea stems. Lao colour 01 tne bark changes with aue. Metro--8»aero8 seeas, gathering trom shrub bu.-mea audi as tnose growing upon Kanmtoto, produce various forms. 'lo obtain the true tree torin seed should bfe giithereu from some of the large tiees with single stems, such. as may be seen grow.ng on the c«ut a jw» e coasts. IS o. 2 ib Coprcsma grandmoru. native name csmono. It is an evergreen shrub that boars red berries. T.W.. Newmarket.—The name of the exceedingly gruceiui-droot?ins siirub with very fine tnrewHJce foaagr is Bseckialmlolia, a native ot i Mew .ti.ol.und, and nunieu by Li m nee us an honour of A. Bieck. a bweuisn pnysiuan. It is erroneously found catalogued under the name of Beckia. Curious.*' Eherslie.—The different varieties of beotroota owe their origin to the common beet (Beta vulgaris), a pUnt ol biennial duration, and a native of tUe sea coast of Southern Kurope. There are numerous varieties of the improved bloodred or crimson strains. 'lne Egyptian turnip-rooted beet has become very popular. The fleah is of a rich ocflour and Ene flavour, and the roots are a convenient sue for cooking. In addition to the varieties grown for culiz&ry uses there are several that are grown for their ornamental foliage, being nio r t effective in the miied border and in bedding out designs. Silver beeta are highly esteemed as a vegetable. E.C„ Mount Eden.—The end of June Happened to be a bad time to sow a lawn with gr.iss seed. The vret weather following would account for partial failure. The paucity of -the grass would favour the crop of weeds that have come up. To destroy those weeds give a liberal top-dressing of rulpliate of ammonia, and after about 10 days rake over the CJrface. Bow fresh seeds and top-dress with the volcanic soil that you have a plentiful snnolv of. Rake to produce an even surface and well roll. The sulnh:ite of ammonia will kill tne weeda nnd act as a fertiliser for the previouslysown and now crop of grass. A.8.C.. Panmure.--Much depends upon the character of the soil as to the valua of sulphate- of iron as a fertiliser for tomatoes. Lime and sulphate of iroi would be beneficial applied before planting the tomatoes. Surorphosphate applied ft the rate of about 21b. per square vnrd will orodnce vigorous and fruitful plants. Ram the soil well before planting to prince good root action and slower growth. When th« fruits hire half grown sulr>h=>te of ammonia, nitrate of Roda, or nitrate of potash, loi. to 2oz. per square yard, can be used. 8.L.A., Kaipura Flats.—-BaVea ssligna is the name of sKrub or small-crowing tree th-t you ser.d a specimen of with seed pod a'tarhed. It is not injurious to cattle if eaten. It is a native of Australia. FS M.. Mount Albert.—N.ima of anemone is Fulgenn. vermilion or scar'eit with dark centre. The aremone you refer to with centre ia Anemone coror.ana, thtt used to he eTtens'vely before the advent of tho ft. Bticid, which thrives and flowers so well here #nd has become so jrrown as to displace the oldtime favour : tes. The donWe-flowemi forms of coron-'ria *re verv distinct and showy with tVie'r full donblo centres and broad ray petals. J.C.. Epsom.—Cotyledons or narelvorts comprise a verv lar<re genus now, in**'tiding cheverias, pistorinias, and nmbU'cns. Echevprias are «Hen*ivelv us«d in Hardens for and th«i large-leaved T«rieties as dot and central plants in ornamental designs. Cotvledons ai-e mostlv of succulent "'•o-wth lir(f"-lv nsed in rock gardening. The common house leek is one of the "-dries. P">veral are very flooring plants. " Inouiror," Anzac Cove.—Answer will bo given. In nert week'a notes. KErOS.