TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20520, 22 March 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A.H.J., Pokenoj-Apple sent for identification is the well-known Northern Spy, one of our best dessert varieties and a good cooker. " Enquirer," Rotorua.—Name of email creeping plant is Pratea angulata, a native species. It grows, in marshy places and becomes a weed in some localities. A dressing of sulphate of ammonia will kill it.

" Nonsense," Waitakere.—Seed pod is Datura stramonium (the thorn apple), a native of England. " Enquirer," Ongarue.—The specimen is a species of balsam (Impatiens royleyi), an annual, native of India. E.T.W., Whakatano.—Name of climbing plant is the common yam (Disoscorea alata), a native of India. The tubers descend a great depth into the soil. Sative, is the common cultivated variety that is generally grown throughout the South Sea Islands as an article of every-day diet. R.H.J., Ormondville.—After three years in strawberry tho same ground, unless deeply trenched and new soil brought to the surface, should not bo replanted in strawberries. In preparing the new beds begin at onco by digging in from 60z. ( to Boz. of basic slag per square yard. Give a surface dressing of 81b. of superphosphate and 2lb. of sulphate ,of ammonia per 40 square yards. When planting, give a liberal dusting of fine bonedust along the rows with other fertilisers after the plants are in good growth- and flowering. P.R., Mount Eden.—As • your persimmon previously bore and ripened a good crop of fruits without the aid of a pollenating variety, the abnormally wet period may have caused tho fruit to drop off prematurely. It is always desirable to ylant one of tho pollenating varieties in close proximity. T.E.M., Papakura.—The melon leaf is, from its withered appearance, affected with powdery mildew, often the result of a sudden change from very wet to dry weather. Spray with Bordeaux mixture, tho 4-4-40 formula. Apply lime sulphur according to instructions printed on packet. M.S., Otaki.—lnjury to portion of the leaf of variegated aspidistra is not caused by any insect, but probably from the soil in the pot having become too dry at some time. It may require repotting in a fresh compost. " Robin Adair," Blackball.—Names of specimens are:—l. Lycopodium ecariosum. 2. Rubus cissoides, a variety of Australis. The fruits are edible. 3. Hypericum cndrosncmum. 4. Drinys colorata, tho native horopito. 5. Vicia sativa (vetch). 6. Lotus major. 7. Mimulus inoschata. common mush. 8. Olearia avicenniaefolia, one of the tree daisies. 9. Coriaria ruscifolia, the tutu of the Maoris, and a_poisonous plant 20. Veronica salicifolia. No. 9 is the only poisonous variety. A.A., Brixton.—Ypur letter has been replied to in a previous issue. The article on lawns in Inst week's garden note 3 will furnish the same information. J.H.W., Waitoa.—Grass sent for identification is a variety of paspalum, but is too meagre a specimen to accurately identity. Is it a tufted or running-rooted grass? " Shrub/' To Aroha.—For reply, see next week's correspondence.

E.M., To Awamutu.—Cultivation of j aspberries: A good depth of soil, loamy pnd moist, is best. Plant in rows about sft. apart and 3ft. between the plants in the rows. Canes may bo arranged singly .or in twos or threes. • If in threes, allow Gin. between eacb. When, or after, planting cut the canes back to 12in. to encourage the growth of_ stronger shoots the next season for beariug fruit. Leave six of the strongest to each plant, removing the fresh shoots as they appear. The pruning consists in cutting away the old fruiting canes each season, leaving the new ones to take their place. The clumps should be supported by stakes. Apply an annual diessing of manure every autumn. Capo gooseberries. Plant established seedlings after the frosts are over. Arrange them in rowa 6ft. apart and 3ft, between each plant in the rows. T.W., Salamoa, New Guinea.—The grubs you refer to as eating off cabbage plants and other vegetables are the larvae of the crane fly, generally called leather jackets on account of tho toughness of their skins. No perfect means of exterminating them lias been discovered. Traps consisting of slices of potato, turnips, mangels, or apples, affixed to sticks and sunk a couple of inches beneath the surface soil, attract tho grubs, which fix themselves to the traps. Pull the traps up every other morning and destroy tho grubs. By disturbing the soil around where they are attacking tho plants they are to be found. They work at night and conceal themselves just tho Burface during tho day. Sowing lime and toot immediately around the plants will keep tho grubs awfly. R.J.W., Taradale.—Yarrow is quite unfit for lawns and is only of any value when planted in pastures for sheep. The brown, dead patches are evidently caused by the grass grub eating the roots. There is no effectual remedy for treating this that will not destroy tho grasses. Frequent heavy rollings are recommended.

" Enquirer," Kamo.—Transplanting walnut tree should promote fruiting. Do not destroy the tree, but plant in close proximity a Japanese variety that flowers so profusely that it may assist pollcnation. F.T., Paeroa.—The nectarine is a form or variety of tho peach* Tho samo tree has at times produced fruits of both kinds on the same branch, which accounts for a peach coming among the 10 trees from nectarine stones sown by you. The peach very much resembles in flavour, flesh and texture the variety named Hay's Cling, excepting that the stone iii larger. " Flower Lover," Henderson.—Names of specimens sent for identification are:— 1. Impatiens, a strong-growing perennial balsam. 2. Sedum Sieboldi, .a variety of stonecrop. 3. Nepeta (catmint); no relation to valearian. 4. A variety of Canna indica (Indian shot). 5. Pcnnisetum longistylum (ornamental grass). N.M., Remuera.—Topiary work consists in tho fashion of cutting trees and shrubs into all sorts of fantastic shape 3. It was very popular in Britain some years ugo, but fortunately now is an. almost lost art, although examples still exist. " Nil Desperandum," Ellerslie. —Name of flower is Aconitum napellus, tho common monk's hood. It is a tuberous-rooted perennial, native of Europe, and one of the moat virulent of poisonous plants both to human beings and cattle, although very handsome. It shoulu be planted where there is no danger from its presence. Kepos.