TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 5 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

" Countryman," Napier.—Re cultivation of mushrooms in old shed: Preparation of tho manure is most important. Horse manuro collected from the stable every morning should bo laid separate from the litter in a covered shed with nn open front. Here it should bo frequently turned to prevent over-heating and to allow tank steam to escape. When sufficient manure has been collected to make a bed of the desired size, it must bo turned and shaken apart until all rank ateam has escaped and the manure is sufficiently moist to hold together. Some cultivators prefer to have a portion of litter mixed with the manure. The size of tho beds must be regulated by tho amount of manure available and the space required. A suitable depth of manure is 9in. in front and 12in. at the back. It should be rammed hard. Do not introduce the spawn at once, as the bed may become overheated. The highest temperature at which spawning may be safely practised is 90 degrees at the time it ia inserted, end then it should gradually recede. Secure good-quality spawn. Break it into small pieces and insert in holea mado with a trowel about 4in. apart, using tho manure taken out for covering it. In about a week's time, or less, place from lin. to 2in. of moist, rather heavy loam, entirely free from sand, over the surface and beat it hard with the back of the, spade. Tlje tiny mushrooms make their appearance within four weeks from spawning. Conditions regulating good crops vary according to climatic conditions and other circumstances.

" King Fern," Remuera. —The king fern (Marattia fraxinoa) is propagated by taking off tho offsets which develop at the base of the plants at any season. Propagation is also affected by taking off tho horseshoe or frog-like formations at the base connecting the leaves with the main stem. Theee portions, if carefully removed and planted close!v together in a prepared bed in a greenhouse or shady place will develop shoots and grow into plunts.

S.K., Ellerslie.—Leaves to identify and name belong to Eupatorium macrophylluni syn. Hebecliniura macrophylluni, a distinct, shrubby plant with cordate leaves and reddish lilac flowers. It is a native of tropical America, but succeeds here in the open in warm sheltered positions. The other plant is Rehmannia angulata, an herbaceous perennial, which produces large pink, drooping gloxinia-like blossoms. It is very hardy and succeeds well in the rockery.

W.T., Pukekohe.—The cause of lemons turning soft and dropping off is due to the brawn rot fungus. A preventive consists of spraying the trees with Bordeaux mixture—6lb. of bluestone, 4lb. of lime, or slb. of washing soda to 40 gallons of water—keeping tho lower branches from 15in. to 18in. above the surface of the ground to prevent any contact with the soil by rainBplashing. Also apply a liberal dressing of sulphate of iron over tho surface of the soil beneath the trees as far as tho branches extend. ,

C.8., Otane, H.B.—Tho propagation of poinsettia is effected by cuttings taken after the flowering ia completed and the autumn growth has matured. A little artificial heat is required to atrike them. The poinsettia is a tender plant and will not thrivo where heavy frosts occur unless planted immediately against tho house on the sunny side and protected by a cover of sacking or canvas during frosty weather. Tho cause of the tops dying back of the two plants you have in pots is probably due to the cold weather.

R.H., Waihi.—Re large yellow bottling peach tree gumming badly as soon as the sap rises: Scoring the bark would not improve matters, especially as you have sprayed with bluestone during the past two seasons without effecting a cure. The variety is evidently too tender and should be cut out to make room for a hardier kind. Should you decide to give it another trial, spray with pure bluestone, using lib. to 15 gallons of water juat before tho buds swell.

Q. 8., Milford.—Re Poorman orange trees planted three years ago when bearing fruit, but which have since failed to flower nor fruit, although growing well in close proximity to a lemon tree that thrives well, flowering and fruiting: This ia quite unusual and unaccountable. The fact of tbo small trees bearing fruits when purchased was probably due to their being transplanted "annually. However, you will obtain better results from the larger trees once they begin cropping, which they are certain to do.

" Beginner," Paeroa.-—Re apple tree about nine years old, apparently healthy and making vigorous growth, yet failing to develop fruit buds or flowers: It must surely bo a Northern Spy. the same variety as the old tree you refer to as going to wood every season and producing fewer fruits each year. The pruning is at fault. Hard pruning every winter only produces vigorous growth. Adopt summer pruning toward the end of February and in March cut back the shoota. This will cause the buds below the cut to develop flower buds Breaking tho shoots partly off in the autumn and allowing tho broken portion to hang down allows the sap to return and plumpß up the buds. Bending the long shoots or branches by tying them down or fastening a weight to the tips induces the formation of spurs along the branches. Keep the centre of tht> trees well open and cut off all willowy growths close to the stems. Root pruning, where practicable, is an incentive to fruiting. The Northern Spy apple requires special treatment to ensure regular crops. The pruning must be regulated to produce fruit spurs. Kepos.