THE VINERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE VINERY.

WORK UNDER CLASS.

Although little can b« donii in outdoor gardening while the soil is in its present condition there will be no la.ck of woi k under glass requiring seasonable attention. Having dealt with the pruning of vinos in last week's issue the next important operation ia cleaning the vines, that is, removing the rough bark, the greatest care being taken not to injure or wound the main bark in the operation. The rough, loose bark can in most instances be removed with a coarse cloth or brnsh, care being taken not to damage the buds left upon the spurs. With reasonable care this c,*in be done without much risk. REMOVAL OP ROUGH BARK. The chief object in removing the rough bark ia to leave a smooth, even surface without crevices in which bugs or other pests can hide. This done, paint the vines over with Gishurst's compound, fir tree oil or other insecticide to destroy any insects upon the vines. Then prepare a mixture of clay soot and sulphur mixed to the consistency of thick paint and paint the canes so that a smooth, even surface is formed. The use of the knife, unless in the hands of a skilful person, should not be resorted to in removing the bark, as there is too great a ritik of damaging the inner bark. SAFEGUARDS AGAINST PESTS. As soon as the pruning is completed every particle of cuttings, foliage and other debris should be removed from the house and burnt. Even the earth upon the floor of the house, if composed of earth, should have the surface removed, as a certain number of bugs and other pests is almost sure to have fallen and become hidden in the soil. The house, too, should be given a good overhaul, the whole of the trellis and woodwork being washed and every crevice sprayed with insecticide. In addition to the inside treatment attention to the borders is of equal, if not mo::e, importance, as success in grape culture depends so much upon the character of the soil in which they are growing. When the vines show signs of deterioration either in growth or in the quality of the fruits the fault can invariably be ! traced to faulty root action. Should the vines show any sign of unhealthy root action efforts should at once be made to remedy the defect. This can often be accomplished by carefully forking and removing the top soil until the uurface roots are laid bare and then replacing with a good fresh compost consisting of tui-fy loam, Band, charcoal or other gritty ! matter with a good proportion of coarse j bone manure incorporated with the soil. I TO CORRESPONDENTS, ''Bulb," Bo to ru a.—Tli is Imi» belon* to Feijoa sellowiana, a new evergreen, fruiting shrub. It attains a height of about <|ft. It has red flowers.' It is a native of South BraziL " Azalea," Mangapai.—Spray the young shoots of the azalea that aorae insect or blight attacks with Gishurst'ni compound. Young shoots of azaleas are seldom affected by insects. " Hedge," Warkworth.—Eurybia is another name for olearia, which makee a good, closegrowing. evergreen hedge thai clips well, but ia not cattle-proof. The variety Foisterii is the best. W.C.. Thames.—lris uusiana (the mourning iris) ie a difficult variety to grow. It require < a light, porous, soil and a sunny position. Our wintern are too wet to cultivate this beautiful iris successfully. Epsom.—Where inssect life hai become troublesome in your light volcanic, vegetable garden soil, turn the soil na roughly and apply a liberal surface dressing of sulphate of ammonia. Spent salt would be effective, but would, render the giottnd unfit for cropping for several months.

Native," Tahekeroa.—The propagation, of karaka and puriri is effected fxom seeds and not by cuttings. 1 Totara may bo propagated from cuttings from the young sidoshoots, taken off with a heel, and about din. or sin. long. The abnormal jrroirth on twig of manuka, or tea-tree, is evidently caused by a species of call mites.

Palm, Thames.—To cleanao the palm leaves of the minute opecies of scale. dip the plant* in a solution of 2 per cent, of white-oil solution (that is two parts to*loo parts of water), or three level tea spoonfuls, to make one gallon of spray. This spray is easy to use and quite safe. It is also effective on red spider and thrips. " Constant Reader."— Acacia verticil],ata is a suitable stock hedge that cattle do not eat. Small plants that have been wrenched transplant satisfactorily. The cupreusus you refer to is a dwarf form of Lawsonitma Grannie Smith id the beat late-keeping cooking or dessert apple, and Winter Colei ia the best late dessert pear. Delphiniums may be propagated by divisions, rarely from cuttings. From eeeds ia the best method.

C.8., Kaiparft Flats.—One good spraying with sodium chlorate would kill the foliage of oxalis, antj, if applied before i;he bulbs form, it would be most effective in penetrating the stoma below the surface. Apply on a fine day. Subsequent rains will not weaken the effect. Eight ounces to the bucket of water at an averago strength, A benzine tin full of the sodium applied with fine nozzle covers a considerable area Drenching tho soil to treat the ripened-off bulbs is not advisable. The beet timu to apply the sodium is when tho oxalis iis in good growth, brt has not produced its new tubers.

C.T.D., Dargaville.—You wish to treat the large cherry plum tres that flowers fruely. fruits sparsely and is moss-covered. Open the tree out by cutting off eome of the larger branches. Cleanse the bark of juosa and other parasitic growths, spray with the caustic soda-alkali solution. To maku 10 gallons of liquid, weigh out 2lb. of caustic soda, place in a bucket half filled with water, Btir until dissolved, and diluto with 10 gallons of watcj. Dissolve 10oz. of soft soap in a little boiling water, and when quite dissolved pour the soap solution into the 10 gallons. Always add the soap last. Stir the liouid. and it ia ready for use. Vermorite will also kill moss. Obtain a packet and apply according to directions. " Orchardist," Avomlale.—lt is now an established fact that tho cropping qualities of certain varieties of fruit trees require cross-pollenationm to ensure better crops of fruit. Properly fertilised fruits cling better to the trees and do not fall off so easily as partially-fertilised ones. To effect proper pollenation, plant varieties that bloom rj t tho same time in close proximity to one another. As examples: Angelina Burdett plum is a shy cropper, but with Jenkins' Seedling close by good crops are obtained. That splendid plum Purple King is pollenated by the cherry or Christmas plum, or any of its seedlings. Persimmons of the best varieties are pollenated. by special kinds, notably Gailoy and Hay H. Smith. Several varieties of apples and pears need others to pollenate their flowers.

L.J., Wangnnui.—The following are good hinta for the treatment and culture of strawberries:—The distance between plants should be 2ft. 3in. between the rows and Sin. between the plants in the rows. Plant with a trowel and be careful not to double up the roots, and well firm the soif at the roots. Select plants with a good crown and healthy roots Apply busic slag in the preparation of the land at tho rate of 24cwt. an acre, with a surface application of Scwt. of superphosphate and 2cwt. of sulphate of ammonia an acre 14 days before planting. When planting scatter a light dressing of bonedust along the rows at the middle of August, dresa with sulphate of potash, and nt the middle of September with Peruvian guano or blood and bone, a light application of each. After planting keep the ground free of weeds by light hoeing. Do noli disturb the roots, which is fatal to their wellbeing. Planting may be clone from April until the end of June., The use of short straw or light clean litter is necessary to keep tho fruits clen'n. Spray the plentH about every three weeks after they have commenced to grow with soluble sulphur or Bordeaux mixture, the 4-4-40 formula, until the fruita begin to show colour. Kn«!<