TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

" Coroma," Coromandel. —Sucker from root of Shepherd's Perfection apple would represent the stock udoii which the tree is worked, probably Northern Spy, a variety that takes several years to fruit. To destroy penny royal on lawn, grub the patches up and liberally dress with Eiulphate of ammonia or While Island produot. In the paddock or open ground topdress with spent salt from fellmongery without grubbing. It is too late to spray tomatoes with arsenate of lead when the fruits are colouring. The eggs of the moth are laid on tho fruits. Eesort to hand-picking. J.R., Rotorua.—Mildew and dry weather have caused first and second crops or Golden Ball turnip to rot. There is no remedy now. The disease will not spread to other vegetables. Turnips may be successfully sown now that the weather is cooler, with ample moisture in the soil. R.S.L., Te Awamutu.—Name of flower is Leonotis leonurus (lion's tail), a perennial shrub from the Cape of Good Hope. It flowers in whorls on long stems and is very showy. "Waikato." —Names of shrubs are:—No. 1. Buddleia Veitcheana. 2. Helianthus, Miss Mellish (perennial sunflower). 3. Tamarix gallica (tho flowering cyprus) or tamarisk. A.R.A., New Plymouth.—Buffalo grass (Stenotapheum Americana) is tho name of the grass. It grows in dry or moist situations and flourishes on the most. barren soils and forms a green sward during, tho hottest and driest season. It remained perfectly fresh and green during the recent dry spell. It will not succoed where frosts are severe. It is unsurpassed for banks and areas other than playing lawns. Replies to other correspondents in next week's notes.

" Inauirer," Te Awamutu.—The plum resembles Purple King:, but was not in a fit condition, to properly identify. " Pruning," Wanganui,—To reduce the height of Delirious apple tree so as to dwarf it and have the fruiting wood near the ground and handy for picking: Cut out the centre of the tree and at the same time cut back the leading branches to within 12in. from the present bearing wood. This system will produce shoots lower down, widen out the tree and keep it dwarf. The pruning may be performed at once. Root pruning about the end of May by digging a trench around the tree would assist in keeping it small and fruitful. H. 8,. New Plymouth.—Being unable to obtain stable manure when trenching the soil, the best artificial substitute is basic slag, 20lb. to 80lb. per 40 square yards on top of lower spit, while 2lb. of sulphate of potaßh may be added. Always apply the slag in the autumn or early winter, and in spring apply a Biirface dressing of two parts of superphosphate to one part of steamed bonedust hoed in. " Bayite," Waimaua.—By keeping the suckers down the lilac bush should flower. Strawberry beds should, be renewed after second year's fruiting, either with runners from the old plants or by procuring a i ew strain from a reliable source. Violets would be unsuitable for planting on daffodil bed after the flowering and ripening on of the latter. Plant Phlox, portulaca or other shallow-rooting annuals that flower during the summer and are finished before the daffodils restart as the most suitable, Re old pear tree being unfruitful: [Qrivintf a few nails into the stem would _ do no harm. A liberal pruning by cutting out some of the old branches, spraying with the caustic soda-alkali _ solution or strong lime sulphur in the winter, and a liberal dressing around the_ tree with manure would be most effective. G.R.Y., Taneatua.—The insect that is infesting your passion-fruit vines is the larva of the leaf hopper (Scolypopa Australia). The only remedy is to spray with arsenate of lead or other effectual insecticide. The scolypopa is a native of Australia. " Subscriber," Onebunga.—Re . suitable peach _or nectarine to plant in close proximity to J. H. Halo peach tree to ensure fertilisation of the flowers: Goldmine nectarine flowers at the same time and has proved a good variety for_ pollenatmg the flowers of J. H. Hale, which has the reputation of being a shy cropper, especially when tho tree attains age. t" Haverest," Three Lamps.—No. 1 is Fuchsia corymbiflora. (cluster-flowered), a native of Peru. No. 2. Begonia fuchsioides (fuchsia-like), from New Grenada. F.C.R.—The tree from which the seed pod was taken is Erythrina corallodendron, one of the varieties of coral tree, syn. Bpinosa, a native of the West Indies. It produces conspicuous scarlet flowers in long racemes. J.8.C., Pongakawa.—The moth has been sent to writer of Nature Notes lo deal with. " Seedlings," Rerauera.— Winter-flowering intermediate and beauty stocks, single and double-flowered wallflowers, Corropsis grandiflora, Papaver nudicanle or Iceland poppies, the different varieties of antirrhinums, Humea elegans, gaillardias, larkspurs, marguerite carnations, and peniitemons are ell suitable subjects for present planting in well-prepared soils. Kepos.