TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

W.H.1,, Howiclr. —Re only 124 per cent, of 2000 iris tangitana flowering: This may bo accounted for by the size of the bulbs and the manner in which they wero treated after taking them no and storing prior to replanting. To be successful, the bulbs should be lifted before they htive quite dried off and exposed to become thoroughly dry. A simple method of drying is to spread them on the top of an iron-roofed oxvthouse on the sunny side. After exposure for two or three weeks, place the bulbs in paper bags inside a sunny window, and when they have restarted to shoot plant them in their flowering beds. Separate the small bulbs from tho larger ones. Plant the small ones closely together to produce flowering bulbs for tne following season and the selected bulbs at proper distances apart. A liberal liming in the preparation of the soil ip recommended. " Shelter," Avondale.—The present is the best time to clip Pittosporum crassifoliran. One-year plants from the nursery require no trimming. The small-leaved privet (Ligustrum undulatum), three years old, may, if necessary, be cut close to tho stems on the one side without injuring the hedge.

" Subscriber," Putaruru, wants to know the reason why a healthy 15-year-old walnut tree has only produced about six fruita dur ine any one season, the tree being a beauti ful specimen, in a favourable position. No doubt the_ trouble is non-fertilisation. The male catkins have probably dropped before the females have developed. Your remedy will be to obtain and plant a couple of Japanese walnuts near by for loollenating purposes.

L.T.J., Paparangi.. Wanganui.—To effectually cleanse moss, liclien, etc., the bark of apples, plums, pears, peaches, nectarines currants, gooseberries and other fruit trees and plants, spray with the caustic sodaalkali solution, prepared as follows: Weigh out 2lb. of caustic soda and place it in a bucket half-filled with water. Stir until dissolved and dilute to 10 gallons In another vessel dissolve lOoz. of soft eoap in a little hot water. Stir until dissolved and add to the 10 gallons. Always add the soft soap last. By adding lib. of carbonate of potash the solution is more effective in de stroying eggs of red spider and other latent insects. Apply with a knapsack sprayer and avoid getting any of the liquid on the skin or clothe 3. Re lemons for home use: The Meyer is the hardiest and, most suitable variety for your district. It is an early and prolific bearer and resists fairly heavy

J.1.E., Jim., Waihi.—To eradicate twitch or couch grass, of which there are two troublesome varieties, Agropyron repens being the deepest-rooting and _ most persistent. forkiug out is most effective. Where trees and shrubs are growing it intertwines among their roots and is then especially hard to eradicate. 'lf the ground is unoccupied, the best treatment is to procure spent salt from a fellmonger and thickly spread it over the grass. It will lull the grass, but will render the soil unlit to crop for about 12 months.

F.M., Kumeu. Pomaderris ellipticn (kiunarahou) is the name of specimen to identify. It is often called poverty, plant by the settlers, as if is found growing upon the poorest land. It is a beautiful shrub T.'heu in full fl over. Concerning any alleged medicinal qualities of the plant the writer is unable to comment. "Orange Tree," Te Awamutu. —Re orange tree now 7ft. in height and not having yet flowered: This is probably due to its being a seedling, and, as seedlings often take iw long as 15 years before flowering, there is Btill time for your tree to fruit. G.P.D., Hamilton East.—Moat varieties of fruit trees are suitable for your locality. Apples, pears, European and Japanese plums, also peaclies and nectarines, succeed and fruit freely. Walnut? and cob and filbert nuts also fruit, provided the best and most suitable varieties are planted. Ihe peaches and nectarines would require to be adequately sheltered by hedges or breaks. " Lindum," Remuera.—The hedgehog is an insectivorous mammal armed with bristles. It preys upon slugs, woodhce, beetles and other insects. It does not climb You would bavo to take precautions to keep them from wandering away, and when food is scarce would require to feed them witu some bread and milk. They are the gardener's friend in keeping down insects. L.0.H., Waiuku.—Specimen of grass to identify is, from the appearance of the small sample, the water meadow grass (1 oa aquatica). Although chiefly found in swamps, it will grow in strong clay 6oils. It is one of the largest of the British grasses. " Inquirer," Avondale.—dies Eiiropaea is the botanical name of the whiu. gorse or furze. It belongs to the order legummosa and is a native of Western Europe. There are about a dozen species—one a dwarf called nanus; another, seedless, once recommended for hedges, but later discarded owing to dense central growths dying and rendering it unsightly and liable to catch fire. A Portoguese variety is called Ulex geuistoides (genista-like). KEros.