A PALM GROVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

A PALM GROVE

SUGGESTIONS! FOR AUCKLAND With the choieo of so many 6pecies of palms suitable for outdoor culture in tho open, and judiciously arranged, a most beautiful and interesting plantation may be obtained. Tho Auckland Domain offers splendid conditions for a palm grove. The natural shelter already provided, together with the sunny slopes and sidos of hills and gullies, is ideal lor the purpose. Provision may bo made for the tender varieties, as frosts are very slight, and even damage from these may be prevented by shelter trees or tho hardy species of palms. Tho graceful Cocos plumosa "and ' Roebelini may be successfully cultivated, not omitting the Kentias. A palm plantation would bo an interesting and most attractive feature for Auckland. THE TREE TOMATO A USEFUL FRUIT The tree tomato, Cyphomandra betacea (esculent), is an excellent substitute for tomatoes, and worthy of a placo in every cottage garden where climatic conditions will admit of its cultivation. Being a native of Brazil, and having large, soft leaves, it is tender whero heavy frosts occur, but it may bo grown under the shelter of overhanging trees and the protection afforded by buildings in many localities. The ripe fruits hang on the trees during tho winter and are in season when ordinary tomatoes are dear and scarce. The pendulons bunches of highly-coloured fruits are most ornamental. Tree tomatoes are much esteemed for mixing with other fruit in jams, and also for pies and eating fresh. They may be kept for a long timo after picking. There are two varieties, one bright red, the other much darker The latter commands the highest price in the maiket. They are prolific croppers. For home uses and for marketing the tree tomato is an economical fruit. TO CORRESPONDENTS '■ Fair V'ue."—Will reply next week. " Bush," Harapepe.—The native shrub is Pittosporura cornifolium (the perching kohukohu). " Native," Remuera.—l. Suttonia salicena (taro). '2. Olearia Cunninghamii (heketara). 3. Acacia dealbata. " Inquirer," City.—The weed is Euphorbia glauca. Spraying with eodium chlorate, lib. to the bucket of water, will kill it. T.W.8., Thames.—Tho twig: with flowers is Acacia floribunda. Crocus do best if left in the ground after flowering. Bulb for identification was not received.

C.McL., Morrinsville.—Tho leaves of the Pittosporum eugenioides are attacked by a species of fundus. Spray with soluble sulphur at a strength of lib. to 10 gallons of water.

"Inquirer," Waharoa.—Mildew appears to be the cause of the flower stems of the ranunculus not properly developing their flower buds. The dry weather in August was probably tho cruise. E.H., Remuera.—The twig with flowers is Persica alba plena, the beautiful doublo white-flowering peach, which produces a glorious mass of snow-white blossoms at this season, The fruits rarely set.

" Miss M.," Tangowahine.—The plant you fouiwl growing upon the stem of a nikau is Senecio Kirkii, tho lovely forest-tree groundsell. It bears large white, daisy-like blossoms. It is a perching native species und also grows on tho ground. E.H., Rotowara.—You write in reference to tulip leaves discolouring and dyinu :is they are showing flower bi;ds. Judgine from the bulb sent as a 6arnple, there is no disease. Tho bulb is a verv poor specimen, lacking strength to produce a good flower. Tho dry state of the soil during August may bo accountable for tho trouble. E.M.H., Ngaruawahia.—Gorse (Ulex Europaeus) is a native of Western Europe. The Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) is a native of Sou h America, but is naturalised in many wa : ; i countries. You can dig closo UP to seven-vear-old fruit very lightlv near tho stems. Akebia quinata is an ornamental evergreen climber suitable to cover a small building. " Ranunculus," Epsom.—The dying off of ranunculus when coming into flower is probably tho result of tho dry bdcll in August. In heo.vy. very wet, undrained soils the leaves would gradually assume a yellow unhealthy appearanco. With regard to anemones it is difficult, to account for a portion of llio plants in the bed <lyin(j off when partly grown unless some insect, wireworin or grass grub, has been at work. Tlio threadlike worm you mention may bo partly to blame. In light, volcanic soils the weather during August was too dry for both anemono and ranunculus plants. Yours is not the only complaint of similar failures. •T.Tf... Pcria.—Smut on Poormnn ornnce trees is caused by scale insects. Spray with a solution of wliito oil, three level tablespoonfuls to tho gallon of water. It will kill the scale. It emulsifies freely and is easily applied. For leaves of lemons turning yellowapply a liberal dressing of farmyard manure or blood and bonedust in equal parts. For tho borer inject kerosene into the holes. To prevent poach curl, trees should havo been sprayed with Bordeaux mixture formula. 10lb. bluestone and Gib. of quicklime to <lO gallons of water, as tho flower buds were swelling. It is too lato now for this treatment. As soon as tho flowers havo drowned, spray with soluble sulphur at a strength of lib. to 10 gallons of water. Give a second application 10 days later.

C.R., Takapuna.—Plant two sft. borders cacb 3ido of tho hedge to produce a clorious profusion of massed colour. Three rows would be sufficient in each, with a dwarf kind for the front row. For the back row plant tall double French or African marigolds next to largo double-flowered zinnias. This will give a mixturo of showy colours. For tho third row uso scarlet salvia and for tho front row dwarf French marigold, legion of honour, or other profuse-flowerinc dwarf-growers. For tho corresponding border plant tall marigolds, scarlet salvins. petunias, doublo dwarf French marigolds, or Phlox Drummondii. All of tho abovo flower throughout tho summer and autumn and early winter For an oblong bed 4ft. in diameter and 22ft. long, fill with Phlox Drummondii grandiflora, with an edging nil round of mauve or purplo violas and a few dot plants along tho centre of somo brightflowering and foliage plants. t " Mrs. E.C.," To Kohanga.—Placing the seed of Cupressus macrocarpa, 24 hours in hot water would destroy tho germs. Sow tho seed in a prepared bed at once. Cover tho seeds three-quarters of an inch deep with fino soil and cover the surface with some tea-tree brush or a pieco of sacking. If tho weather is dry, occasionally moisten the covering. When the seeds begin to germinate and appear above the surface remove the covering This treatment applies to other kinds of cupressus. Pino seeds should be covered with lin. of soil. Another system with cupressus is to mix tho seeds with some sand and place them in a flowcr-pot. Keep tho mixture uniformly moist, and, when tho seeds begin to chip or show signs of shooting. sow them in tho open in prepared soil and cover with a piece of sacking. When the seedlings start to come up remove the tacking. Tree lucerne seed, when soaked in hot water overnight and sown the next morning, germinates freely. The moil requires to be moist. If too dry. the seeds start and often perish after being soaked. licroa.