TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Mrs. <T.R., Murimatu.—The grub with «mall aeedius carrota sent for identification is the common grass grub (Odoutna zeylanica) that is so destructive to lawns aDd the roots of several other plant 3 when in t,ho grub state, as well as to tho foliage of fruit and other trees and shrubs, rosea, etc.. when in tho beetle stage, when the 7 appear early in the evening. For the beetle stage spray tho foliage with arsenate of lead. "When in the grub form dress the soil with spent salt from the fellraongery. This, however, prevents cropping for 13 months. Dressing with White Island sulphur product is recommended. The heavy roiling- of infested lawna reduces their numbers. Another tough grub, commonly called leather jacket, works at night, cuttinsr plants off at the surface of the soil.- Moving tho soil arouii't any damaged plants will generally reveal tiicir presence, when they can bo destroyed. Mrs. F.E.G.—As G-ravenstein apples are falling, they should be gathered at once. Cos's Orange Pippin and Delicious must not bo picked until the fruit 3 turn a good colour. The best test is to sample a few of each.

G. 8., Otahuha.—For tomato culture under glass, a house 60ft. by 1-lft. would allow space for a centre walk 3J£t. in width. The plants should be planted in short, rows eTtending from the centre walk to the sid«3 of tho house and spaced 15in. apart in the rows, with sufficient room between each row to train and tend the plants. In. the preparation of the soil basic sin? cr superphosphate should be liberally ' incorporated. Tomatoes stand liberal supplies ot super with obvious benefit. Before planting, well firm the soil to prevent too rapid soft growth and to encourage short-jointed,, fruitful growth. Water the young plants very sparingly ant! always dip tho seedlings in Bordeaux mixture before planting them, and also spray the seedlings when they are in the plant trays aim at regular intervals of about lO days during the growing period of the plants. After the fruits have set and the energies of the plants are employed in maturing them, nitrogenous manures may be employed. Sulphate ot ammonia, nitrate of soda and potash, at the rate of loa. lo ioz. per square yard, is good. An ideal liquid manure, made by dissolving {oz each of the phosphate and nitrate of potash to the gallon of water, is a valuable stimulant when the plants are swelling their fruits. The cultivation of tomatoes under glass ia practised to produce fruits during the off season. The sowing of seeds and planting must, be regulated accordingly. This season's outdoor failures should warrant immediate planting with profitable results. " Subscriber," Rotorua. —As you are leaving in June and will not return before the middle of October, plant the asparagus plants in tho prepared bed before leaving Sage and tyme plants should be renewed every second year, the aage by cuttings and the thyme by divisions. The rose bowl having been well prepared and manured already, no further manuring at the time of planting will be necessary. ■T.L.. Parnell—lt is difficult to account for wisatriu, growing so luxuriantly having reached the. top of a cabbage tree and s-p reading /in other directions arid not 'lowering excepting a few late blooms. You state that. 10 years ago it flowered abundantly. Tho soil must be moist and rich, being near the fowl run, to cause such vigorous growth. The roots of wistarias extend a long distance in search of food Your best treatment will be to cut off any long straggling shoots .that have started from near the base and confine the growth to one stern.

T.L., Wairoa (H.B.).—The name of the highly-coloured, evenly-shaped flat apple is Albany Beauty, a very highly-coloured sport from Gravenatein, identical in flavour and season for ripening. The other probably is the variety Thos. Rivers. " Ignoramus."—You are most fortunate :n having such an abundant crop of tomatoes on your plants, ns" they are badly diseased in most localities. The phosphate :ind nitrate of potash, \oz. of each to the gallon or water, is a valuable stimulant for sweiling the fruits, but, as you have already supplied blood and bone, no further help should be necessary. To help keep the dahlia bloom fresh after cutting, dip the end of thu stems in hot- water.

" Dell," Remuera.—Early in March is, as a rule, the best time to plant; both ixia and tulip bulbs. They succeed best in a moderately light £O.l. Kzpcs.