ORCHARD WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20217, 30 March 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

ORCHARD WORK.

TRANSPLANTING SEASON. The season is again rapidly approaching for the lifting and transplanting of fruit, shelter, ornamental trees, shrubs, etc., so that there should be no longer any delay in preparing the ground and making all necessary preparations for planting as early as possible after the trees are sate for lifting. Early planting is in even instance an advantage, as trees planted while there is still warmth in the soil start to make fresh root almost as soon

as planted, and become veil established before the spring season sets in. Trees, on the other hand, that are planted late in the season when the ground is cold and sodden with moisture rarely make much root growth until the spring is well advanced, and are not, in consequence, so well able to resist the effect of a spell of dry weather as those planted enrlv in the season when more favourable conditions prevail. AVOIDING SODDEN SOILS. Whatever the time chosen for planting it should in no case be done while the ground is sodden with moisture, for in order to assist the loots to strike into the soil as quickly as possible it is requisite to press the soii firmly about the roots. If this is done while the soil is sodden with moisture it naturally becomes puddled, and as soon as it becomes dry sets into a solid mass which cracks open as soon as dry weather sets in. Planted under such conditions few trees can thrive. It is true, when trees are received from a distance, one cannot always ensure suitable weather for planting immediately upon their arrival, and tcnanorary layingin or covering the roots with soil is the only safe means of keeping the trees sound until more favourable conditions prevail. HEELED-IN TREES. If left, in this way for a short time, especially trees that arc lifted as soon as ready, it will bo found that they almost at o'neo commence to make fresh roots, so that, greater care is needed in their removal. There is, on the other hand, this advantage, that the trees being near at hand they can lie more easily transferred to their permanent quarter so long as the ground is ready and fa\ouiablc conditions prevail. MANURING YOUNG TF.EES. In manuring the ground for young newly-planted tiecs, care should be taken that tho manure is not placed close to the roots at the time of planting. Trees may be kept in check instead of assisted by the too free use of manure, particularly boncdust or other artificial manures being placed immediately in contact with tho roots instead of at a sufficient distance to allow the roots first to start and strengthen sufficiently to enable them to absorb the stimulating material applied. In manuring the material used should be thoroughly incorporated with the soil, and if applied some time before starting to plant better results will be obtained. OPERATION OF PLANTING. Planting itself is but a simple operation compared to the work of placing the soil in a condition to grow the trees successfully after they are planted. The amount of preparation requited will depend upon the quality of the soil and the treatment previously received. One very important matter is that whatever the nature of the soil thcio must be free drainage.. In our climate,

where the rainfall is heavy, especially during the winter and spring months, there must oe a free outlet for surplus moisture if the trees are to thrive. If the soil is not sufficiently porous to allow of free drainage artificial means must be provided. The benefit of draining lies not only in the removal of surplus moisture, but in the removal of injurious gases, and in the increase of soil temperature. In soil of a stiff, retentive nature, deep, double ploughing, providing the ground is of undulating character, will often provide the necessary drainage. BELLADONNA LILIES. These belong to the amarvllis family and are now in full flower and much prized for garden decoration and cutting. The flower stalks precede the leaves. The improved varieties produce their beautiful pink clusters of flowers on long, straight stems. The old variety is still very popular. All are of the easiest cultivation and will succeed anywhere. No matter how dry the soil has been they invariably throw up their flower stems at tho same time every autumn. They are specially adapted for naturalising in the grass on banks ancl various other places. The bulbs require to be planted after tho foliage has matured, TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Curious," Westport.—Name of leaf with sharp prickles on both sides is Solatium marginatum (margined). Its yellow fruits are one inch or more in diameter. It is a native of Abyssinia. The solanum are an immense genus to which our common potato, Solanum tuberosum belongs. C.H.W., Milford.—Pe ridding your plot of soil fleas (Parorchcstia sylvicola): Moth balls powdered up and sprinkled over the infested spots will drive them away. They are very plentiful in some places, congregating under stones or other suitable covers. Suitable flowering plants that will thrive in the shade include fibrous-rooted and shrubby begonias, cinerarias, shasta daisies, floxgloves, cobelias, heucheras, cyclamens, eupatorium. impatiens, sultani, primroses, polyanthus, Primula malaccides, Cuphea platycentra. plectranthus, several varieties of sedums and saxifrages, anemone japonica. Spiraea astilboides, violet 3 and several varieties of bulbous plants, veronicas, and a few other shrubs, including hydrangeas.

S.A., Remuera.—Carbon bisulphide is an effective but expensive remedy for treating soils infested with ants, eel-worms, also wireforms and other insects that work under the surface, including phylloxera of the vine. It is highly inflammable, consequently no light must bo allowed to como iu contact with the vapour To apply, -dig or make holes about nine inches deep at regular intervals of two feet in the affected soil and pour 2oz. of the liquid bisulphide into each hole and close up the holes again with earth. The vapour permeates the soil and completely destroys all insect and parasitic life. Pyrethrum or Dalmatian insect powder is a well-known insecticide, and can bo either dusted over affected plants or appiiid as a liquid, without injury to the plaiUo. " Amateur," Waihi.—When bulbs of the Iris tangitana are taken up, expose them to the sun; place them on an iron roof for a time, then place them in paper bags in a light, dry place, and when they start to shoot at this season plant them. To preserve dahlia flowers from grasshoppers, well spray with arsenate of lead. Selected varieties of ironbark and crown are about the best pumpkins to save seeds from. A.J.S., Mount Albert.—Do not interfere with the growth of the Argentine pea, otherwise you will destroy its usefulness. Vigour is wanted at this season to ensure a plentiful crop of flowers. J.V.K., Dannevirke.—Name of weed sent for identification is Prunella vulgaris (common all-heal), a native of Britain of dwarf creeping habit and not injurious to stock. It is more of a lawn and grass plot weed, and soon disappears in paddocks where stock are pastured. " Subscriber," Potorua.—A very simple and economical preventative for mildew on roses and black spot is to spray with a solution of 2oz. of common washing soda, with 2oz. of soap to make it adhere better; also an application of powdered sulphur or weak solution of sulphide of potassium. Pose Lord Castlereagh is almost black, with shining surface, flowers ssmi-douhle. A good grower and flowerer, it is darker than John Russell and much darker than George Dickson. J.D.D., Dannevirke.—Sow seeds of the native trees as soon as they are ripe. The ngaio germinates quickly; the nikau takes about six months; cabbage tree about two months. If the kowhai seeds are soaked overnight in hot water they germinate quickly, otherwise they may lay in the ground six or nine months before sprouting. " Thistle." Putarnru.—Thistle-like plant to name is platycentra. a native of Mexico It seed 3 so freely that it becomes a troublesome weed in cultivated lands. Argemono mexicana (Mexican) is called the Devil's Fig. H.A., Runwai.—Anglina Burdett plum worked on the plum stock is invariably a shy cropper, but on the peach it crops abundantly. Your trees flowering freely and setting a good crop of fruits that turn yellow and drop when about the size of small peas, is due to imperfect pollination. It is quite unusual for the Christmas plum to do the same. To pollinate varieties you should procure some other kind 3 that flower at the same time. Kepos.