TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20626, 26 July 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

R.C., Taupnki.—The apple is the Willie Sharp, a local seedling, raised by tho late Mr. IT. E. .Sharp, of Oratia. " Invalid," Mount Albert.—The small tree may bo safely cut back to within about 10ft. from the ground, as it will start again. Do it this month.

W.L.F., Matamata.—Tho specimen is probably a variety of cupressus, but, 03 they differ so much in the seedling state, it is difficult to accurately name. It has the scent of a juniper, and may possibly belong to that genus. Please send a specimen from a larger tree. E.C.N., Rangitikei.—You write regarding your four-year-old Cupressus macrocirpa not growing well, although they are well cultivated. A dressing of boncflour find blood and bono in equal parts, sown on tiie surface around tho trees and lightly elipred, should ntimulato their growth. A dressing of stable manure would bo suitable und cotdd be substituted.

F.A.J., Northcote.—Tho specimen is the common yellow Oxalis cernua, a pernicious garden weed, that spreads rapidly from the numerous bulbs. Tho only etfectual me ins of getting rid of it is to persistently fork it out. Digging it, under when in full growth before the bulbs have time to <or:n is partially effectivo i! done at tho light time. Spraying the tops with a reliable weed-killer is another method of keeping it in check.

W.W.8.. Oflinaru.—White Island product No. 1, when lightly scattered over tho surface of the soil, is useful in killing "rings and many other insects and in preparing ground for asters, stocks, antirrhinums arid other seedlings that suller from the fungoid damping-off organisms. Two ounces of tho product to the square yard, worked into tho surfaco soil, acts as a preventive. During dry weather it should bo npplied about 20 days before any planting is done and during wet weather about 11 days. It. must be judiciously used. Do not give any to tomatoes.

A.8.R., To Kuiti.—The cause of the. leaves of tho daphne bush turning very yellow is uncertain, as it has clone so well in the past. Lime ia detrimental, consequently the deficiency is not the cause. Daphnes thrivo well in tho pumice soils at Rot-nua that contain but little or no time. l?are the soil around the plant without disturbing the roots and add a fresh compost of loam and well decayed leaf mould or peat with an admixture of coarse sand pumice. Tho sparaxi* lias turned ye!low probabjy owing to a deficiency of humus in the soil. Nitrogen promotes a dark-green griwth.

KG., Rem went. —To flower iris in n ita n a the bulbs must lie taken up annually and exposed until they become rjui'.e dry. Placiiu; them on a !jalvaruficd iroa roof, with full exposure to the nun for 1 few weeks, is a good system of dry in.*? <hc bulbs otf. Afterwards place them iri a dry place nnd replant v.-hen they (ire show ins: s:irr, 1 of bhootiri,'. Properly treated and plant'd in an open, sunny position, there is nn difficulty in flo'.veririi; them. Poinneitiris should bo pruned tuirly hard ba<'k in the early spniu: after the i>overirii». f'ettbias strike readily v.h"i| inserted in a warm position. PilttinjM of bi.iu;:ain.;!!i>a mav be struck in (he open

if the old wood is selected, nnd the cutt;:!',') inserted in a light, fairly dry boil nnd warm situation.

" Header," Nelson. —The dropping off of fruits of apricots when about one-quarter grown denotes imperfect fertilisation. The presence of another variety that flowers at the same time may be necessary. In applying common salt, give a liberal surface dre3?in;r, ns far ng the roots extend, from the base of the stem. Kainit .Tib., sulphate of ammonia 'Jib . and superphosphate (lib. per 40 square yards, is a satisfactory fertiliser for established apricot trees, applied now, with tho super in the sprin::. All fruit trees in bearing should receive a manuring of phosphates every year—basic slat: nnd kainit in the autumn and super in the sprin'.'. Some growers favour' a dressing of nitrate of soda, Ic'.vt. per acre, just before the blooms occin to open, to facilitate tho setting of the fruits. Ear os.