TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A.M.C., Epsom.—The name of weed with glacoris leaves and large-sized berries is Euphorbia glauca, a common plant on beaches. The other with long flower spike is one of the mulleins called Verbascum thapsus. It grows on hillsides and stoney places or river-beds. R.Q.. Victoria Valley .--The portion of a branch cut from the acacia ia thickly infested with the cottony cushion 'scalo (Icerya Purchasii). This scalo was prevalent in New Zealand about 40 years ago upon citrus fruits and several varieties of trees anil shrubs. Gorse was also attacked by it. In California it caused consternation among the orange-growers, lhe introduction of tho Vidalia a species of ladybird, the larva of which preyed upon the icerya, soon cleared it completely out. 11 Evergreen," D&iry Flat. —Specimens 1, 2 and 3 are different forms of the caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris), representing three different stages of erowth. H.W.C., Kotoworo.—The name of the specimen is Echium plantagineum, a native of Italy. A.W., Waihi. —The best way to use bluestone crystals is to add lime or washing soda, making what is commonly called Bordeaux mixture. For potatoes use 41b bluestone, 4lb. of fresh lime, or slb. of washing soda, to 40 gallons of water. Use the same strength for spraying fruit trees in summer. For winter strength use 6lb. of bill est one and 4lb. of lime to 40 gallons of water. Bluestone may bo used without the addition of lime, but tho mixture is not then as lasting. "Subscriber," Rotorua.—A bed 21ft. by sft., intended for double-flowered fuchsias, would be suitable for two rows, arranging the plants alternately 2«ft. apart in each row. Lantanas attain an average height of from 2ft. to 3ft., according to the variety. " Castor Bay."—ln preparing holes for marrows, pumpkins and cucumbers in heavy clayey soil that bakes hard alter rain (manure not being available), dig wide and deep holes and fill nearly or threefourths full with gruss skimmed from the surface or with weeds or other suitable refuse Till in with good friable «arth. mixing a couple of handsful of blood and bone, well incorporated with the soil. " Puzzled," Paeroa.—You write regarding tho 20 gooseberry bushes, three years old. which are very healthy and freo from insects, having only produced a few fruits. The only reason for the non-bearing must be that the variety is a shy bearer and unsuitable for your district. " Mrs. A.R.C.." Roto-o-Rangi.—The leaves of paeonie3 aro attacked with, a species of fungus. The only preventive is to sprajf with Bordeaux mixture, the 4-4-40 formula, or dust the foliage on a dewy morning with flowers of sulphur, or else spray -with any other reliable fungicide.

A.E.L., St, Heliers.—The name of plant is Melia azedarach, a hardy, deciduous tree, a native of Syria. The flowers are blue. in terminal panicles. The Australian species is very similar. " Plum," Kopahi."—The mummified or jelly-like fruits are caused by a fungus that usually attacks trees thai are in an unhealthy, stagnant condition. Old trees of the Burbank plum that have borne very heavily and not been manured, pruned, or cultivated around, often develop these mis-shaped stoneless fruits. Spray during the winter ' with 6-4-40 Bordeaux mixture or lime sulphur, and again as the flower buds are swelling. Also apply a liberal dressing of manure and prune during the winter to encourage new growth. H.F., Gisborne.—Antirrhinums have only recently developed the diseaso that is affecting the plant sent. It is evidently a fungus that travels in the air and causes the leaves usually on one side of the plant at first to wither, gradually extending °^ er the whole plant and causing some to wither and die. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture or other prepared. fungicide is the only preventive the writer can suggest. The disease is external and not in tho tissues.

" Keen," Birkenhead.—l. The name of the deciduous shrub from leaves sent for identification is a variety of-Hibiscus syriacuß, Byn. Athaea frutex. There a_Te a larger number of varieties bearing single and double flowers. 2. Tho cause of carnations rotting at the roots and dying is probably wireworms or a minute white insect. Watering the surviving plants with nitrate of spda, _ loz. to the gallon of water, would bp advisable. 3. The name of the rose—a vigorous climber and now very common—is Souvenir do Madame Leone Veinnot.

• " Northcote."—You write regarding bulbs of Narcissus poeticus, the double-flowered variety, producing flower buds that do not develop proper flowers. Thiß is often caused by the bulbs not having been taken up and by being too crowded. Lift them at once and separate and store them for replanting next March. _ Incorporate a liberal dressing of lime in preparing the soil and arrange each bulb singly about Sin. apart.

" Iris," Kohimarama.—Mix the tulips and iris bulbs just received from England in sand slightly damped in shallow trays in a cool place. If planted out at once they would start to go off during the hot weather. Keep them in the trays for about two months before planting them out. Plant the iris bulbs 2in. below the surface.

" Spuds and Onions." Mangitu.—l. A fair average crop of New Zealand-grown onions during a good season should produce from 10 to 12 tons an acre. 2. An average early crop of potatoes in an ordinary good sp.-ison should be two to four tons an acre. The medium crop is four to six tons an acre and the general 10 to 12 tons an acre. The estimate refers to crops in average potato land under good cultivation.

.T.S., _ Onehunga.—The foliage of the potato is affected with the potato fungus disease (Pliytophthora infestans), -which is very prevalent locally. The only preventive is spraying with Bordeaux mixture or other reliable fungicide on the first symptoms of the disease.

" One o'Clock," Mangere.—The distillation of flower petals for infusion in the bath water would be too complicated a process and require too many flowers of special varieties to recommend its adoption. R..T.0., Apiti.—For reply, see next week's correspondence. Kefos.