CHRYSANTHEMUMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21450, 25 March 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

BUDS DEVELOPING RAPIDLY Chrysanthemum flower buds are developing rapidly. Attend to the removal of side growths and,also suckers at the base. The very close, muggy weather recently experienced h%s caused mildew to make its appearance. Occasionally spray with soluble sulphur and dust a little sulphur over tho foliage and on the surface of the soil. The plants, although making good growth, are benefited with a weekly dose of weak liquid manure, after tho soil has been well wetted with clean water. Keep a good look-out for caterpillars. Hand pick or spray with arsenate of load pasto (one tablespoonful to the gallon of water). By the addition of Bordeaux (4-4-40) a combined insecticide and fungicide is produced. With chrysanthemums for garden decoration disbud freely and water when the plants require it. GARDEN WALKS AND DRIVES The present being a slack time in the garden a fitting opportunity is afforded for renovating and repairing drives and various walks and paths, to have them in the best possible condition before the rainy season sets in. Few things contribute to the appearances and pleasures of getting about the garden more than well-made and properly-kept walks. They should be made to be used in all weathers without discomfort. Those on which there is much traffic require a good solid foundation of rough scoria. A surface dressing *of fine scoria mixed with shells and shingle is always effective, but requires frequent attention to weeding and raking. Heavy flushes of rain water, too, are likely to take some of the loose material off.

Tarring and sanding is to be commended. The important points in its favour are absence of weeds, durability, cleanliness at all times, and comparative safety from the effects of heavy rains. The cost of making and materials is also in its favour. A good firm foundation is necessary to secure a permanent surface and to keep the material from cracking and breaking into holes. Permanent edgings of stone or other materials are necessary to define the walks and prevent any soil from tho flower borders or beds washing on the walk. In the construction of all walks, paths or drives the centres should be slightly raised to give rain water a good fall to the sides. Where the incline is steep and the run of water at times likely to bo considerable, tho sides of tho drive or walk should be edged with special drain tiles made for the purpose. This precaution prevents the storm water overflowing to the beds and washing some of the soil away. Walks in the kitchen garden should also bo attended to. Thoy are too often neglected, not even being gravelled. Much more might bo done in tho kitchen garden during wet and showery weather if tho walks were in better condition.

TO CORRESPONDENTS

l/.R.M, Carterton.—Names of specimens are--—I. IV andina domestica. 2. Send a better specimen. _3. Veronica hulkiana. 4. Salvia rutuans. 5. Gilia coronopifolia. 6. Salvia splendens. 7. Mirabilis jalajjpa. 8. Crausula coccinea. 9. Saxifraga macrantha. Tho yellow flower with red anthers is Poinciana vriineau. correct name is caesalpinia. Jromciana regia, the royal peacock flower, has bright scarlet flowers and is a magnificent flowering tree. It is a native of Madagascar and too tender to grow here even in a greenhouse.

Inquirer," Whakativne.—Nam© of shrub is Abutilon vexillarium, a free-flowering species, with a trailing habit. It is a native of liio Grande.

/' Ash Lee/' Morrinsville.—Fir-tree oil or nicotine sulphate is the best spray to kill *phis on maidenhair ferns. Add a little dissolved soap to the nicotine.

Sulphur,- Rotorun.—Walnut fruits are affected with black fungus. Apply to the ground around the tree a dressing of sulphate of iron and spray tho heads in the spring, when tho buds are swelling, with lime sulphur, one in ten, or with Bordeaux mixture, the 10-6-40 formula.

E.R.S., Hamilton.—Barberry is a prolific berry-bearing form of tho common bwbeiry (Berberis vulgaris). The upple is a varieticalled Cliff's Seedling, a locally-raised variety and most suitable for home dessert uses. Tho flavour is crisp, juicy and of superior Quality. D.J.0., Otahuhu.—Names of weeds are:— X and 2. Amarar.thua retrofloxua (red shank). 3 and 10. Chenopodium album (fat hen). 4. Euphorbia peplus (milk weed). 5. Mediola multifida (creeping mallow). 6. Stellaria media (chick weed). 7. Lesidium campestro (cress). 8 and 9. Stachys arvensis. F.J.L., Waiuku. —Tho larvae of the insects bore into trees and other plants and <tro commonly called borers, Tho numerous species are very destructive, notably the citrus borer.

T.D. Kaiwaka.—Hairs of a plant, in a general sense, include what are termed for comparison hairs, bristles, down, cotton, or wool. "With Semcervivitm arachnoideum, for instance, tho tips of tho plant are connected by long soft, white, fine thread-like hairs. C.R.C., Manurewa.—Any contributions will bo gratefully received. Visit the secretary of tho Koyal Horticultural Society, Vincent Square, London, S.W.. who will supply full particulars about show. Membership of tho Roynl Horticultural Society would provide tho literature and privileges to which members are entitled. " Waimario," Raglan.—The specimen resembles a species of helianthus or sunflower, but the seeds differ. Could you send a flower or piece with more leaves on ? " Inquirer."—Namo of grass is Glyceria fruitans. Cattle aro very fond of it. It is commonly called the floating sweet grass. A.8.C., Patumahoe.— Nam© of plum is Coo's Golden Drop, not Cox's, and the raiser's namo Jervaiso Coe.

C.H., Romuora.—Name of Michaelmas daisy is Climax, an old but very fine, largeflowered variety and still one of the best. Kepos.