TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

G.M., Epsom.—The dried specimen is Lunaria annua, commonly called honesty. It is chiefly prized for its silvery foliage. G.A.R., Kaikohe.—An exceßS of ekim-milk applied to the lemon tree would cause the foliage to turn yellow and the tree to die. Miss E.M., Hokianga.—Judging from the appearance of lempn leaves, the Kin Kan citrus fruit is suffering ftom di-yness of soil at the roots/ A thorough soaking. if not already supplied by rain, is necessary. " Subscriber'," Tauranga. Sample of grapes, foliago and berries to hand from outdoor-grown vinss. Spray with soluble sulphur for the fungoid trouble and arsenate of lead paste for the caterpillar, one tablespoonful to the gallon of water. M.A., Remuera.—llex paraguaensis is the variety of holly that produces the mate or Paraguay tea, of which enormous quantities are consumed in South America and exported to other countries. This holly succeeds well locally, but is a slow-grower. Manufactured tea is procurable locally. Mrs. P.C., Matamata. —The flower isjipmed Alstromeria; variety, Simsii; bright yellow, with red streaks. It is a very showv. tuberous-rooted plant, belonging to the. order Amaryllidaceae. It is a native of Chili, and is a ijopular garden plant of easy culture, increased by 6eed or root divisions. " Iris," Devonport.—English and Spanish iris bulbs should be planted at ouce. If kept too long out of the ground, they soon decay. Both are of Spanish origin. Plant them in circular clumps, arranging the bulbs '2in. apart and 3in. deep. They should not be removed more than is necessary. E.A., Morningside.—The green, lightlycoloured apple is the old Gravenstein. The more highly-coloured striped one is a poorly-coloured Albany Beauty, which is a sport from the Gravenstoin and in every respect identical with that variety except in the colour of tho skin. The flower is Lavatera rosea. " Inquirer."—The daffodil or narcissus bulbs in the tin were affected with eelworms, a very difficult insect to treat. Soaking the bulbs in a solution of white oil for half an hour is ellectivc, but it is difficult to eradicate the eelworm from the soil. If you replant the bulbs, plant them in new ground after treating them. " Turk's Cup," Otorohanga.—Allow the foliage of Turk's Cap pumpkin and sauash to die properly off before harvesting tho crop. Tho house would be suitable for storing them provided there is a circulation of air. The Jane Cowl dahlia, producing double crowns, is a fasciated form of flower or freak. Passion-fruit plants are best to be planted in the spring. A.F.D.., "VVnitara.—Tho insect that is infesting your lemon leaves and stems is tho Icerya Purchasi (the cottony cushion scale), which appears periodically in different localities on citrus fruit, unon furze bushes, acacia, and several other shrubs and trees. Write to the Department of Agriculture for a few of the Vednlia cardinalis, a species of ladybird that will prey upon the icerya and effectually rid the trees of this scale in a very short time. L.A.J., Murchison.—Tho small white worm you describe on tulip bulbs that were imported from Australia, and being threesixteenths of an inch long, is too large for the eelworm. It must be some other species. The mould near the crown and under (he outer skins may be a natural decay through uncongenial conditions. Before planting, soak the bulbs for half an hour in a white oil solution and plant them away from any others. There is always a daiiger of introducing insects in imported bulbs. As a safeguard, they should bo disinfected on receipt. S.F., Remuera.— Veronicas, the. ehriibbv varieties, would be the most suitable dwarfgrowing. flowering shrubs to plant behind your low front rockery fence. There is a wide choice of varieties of various heights. The shrubbj veronicas now are classed botanicnlly as hebes. Yon speak of pittosporums in hedge not growing satisfactorily. The variety crassifolium' is the only one that would succeed in your hard "soil and exposure. Lightly fork the surface soil on each side of the hedge an.d apply soma bonedust. You also speak of a nectarino tree growing vigorously while fruit that form fall off prematurely. The variety must be to blame. At the planting 6eason plant the. variety Goldmine, which is a reliable cropper. C'owdung is an ideal manure for lemons and other citrus fruit*. Kefos.