TO CORRESPONDENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21467, 15 April 1933, Page 7 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS

' ok . aula -—"Tho plant ie Symphoricarpus vulgaris, a dwarf-growing, hardy deciduous shrub from North America. M^auku.—The specimen is Benthamia fragifero (sirawberry-flowered), » hardy evergreen shrub. It is » native of berry' 8 fruits like a straw- . J.M.C.L., Mount Albert.—The plant bearing an enormous bunch of seeds is the Musa ensete. the Abyssinia banana, an ornamental aon-fruiling species. The parent plant dies after the flowering and seedling. It is easily propagated from the hard seeds. J.S.A., Whakatane.—Daffodil bulbs planted 10 weeks ago have not started owing to the dry state of the light soil. They are all the better for remaining dormant. When the soil becomes well Boaked with rain they will grow rapidly. A.E.8., Eltham.—-In the planting of asparagus arrange the plants in speciallyprepared, well-manured beds, three rows to a 6ft._ wide bed, placing the plants 2ft. apart in the rows and those in the middle row in alternate older. Another good system two rows in a 3ft. wide bed. with 12in. between the rows and 18in. between the plants in the rows. Place in alternate order. The seeds should bo sown in rows. When the seedlings are one-year-old transplant them into the prepared beds. The plants you already have, allow the tops to turn yellow. Before cutting them off in July lift separately and replant in beds as above. Inquire from your stationer for a suitable gardening book on the cultivation of vegetables. The leaf you send represents Begonia Wiltoniensis. a shrubby - flowering species, which must be kept in the pot inside during the winter. " Grass," Panmure.—The weed is the creeping mallow (Mediola multifidf* and the grass Agropyron repens. or long twitch. It is a bad To identify tho clover an older specimen is necessary. " Wintertrim," Avondale.—With the exception of shortening some of the tops of Pittosporum crassifolium planted last winter, no further pruning is necessary this winter. 5.8., To Kawa.—The quince leaves are attacked with rust and < shot-hole fungus. Spray tho trees in tho winter with lime sulphur, and in the spring, when the buds are swelling, with a strong solution of Bordeaux mixture. After the fruits have set spray with soluble sulphur, one in ten, with a second application 10 days after, following with a third. This treatment will secure clean, healthy growth and fruits. " Puriri," Takapuna.—Dry soil is most probably the cause of the puriri tree foliage turning colour and dropping. " Rap," Piopio.—Carrots rotting at the core may be caused by a check after too rapid growth or by the carrot grub. To store and keep carrots and parsnips for winter use, dig them up when mature in the autumn and place in a shed with an earth surface and cover with straw or sacks, or place under a tree and cover. A.S., Warkworth.—To store kumaras for winter us®, place them in a rat-proof case, mixed with dry sand or sawdust and charcoal. The insect you_ describe upon peach and nectarine loaves is evidently a species of loaf hopper. As a rule they are not very injurious to these trees. Spraying the trees with arsenate of lend is the best remedy. N.F., Taupiri.—The stem with fruits attached is a variety of physalis, to which tho Capo gooseberry belongs. F.S., Hamillon.—The leaf belongs to the Melia azcdarach, an exceedingly graceful and ornamental tree, bearing bunches of fragrant lilac flowers. It is a native of Asia. " Mrs. E.R.J.," PapaToa.—The flower is Crepis rubra, a native of Southern Europe. " Dekay," Now Plymouth.—The eucalyptus is crebra, tho narrow-leaved ironbark. The disease on the applo is powdery mildew, which is very prevalent this year. Spray in tho winter with lime sulphur, and in the spring, ijs the buds are swelling, with strong Bordeaux mixture. After the fruits have set spray with soluble sulphur, one in ten. Repeat tho application 10 days aftor. A.A.P., To Kuiti,—Tho prickly seed pod is Datura stramonium, tho thorn applo, a native of England. It is an annual. If allowed to seed it becomes a weed. " Matahuru," Ohinewai.—No. 1 grass is tho Agropyron repens (the long twitch), a bad garden weed. It spreads from tho underground stems. No. 2 is Paspalum digitarin. It prefers moist soil conditions, but will grow under dry conditions atao. It is a very rapid grower, throwing _ out long, creeping stems. I have no practical knowledge of its feeding value for stock. It should be good and worth trying*. Jusrps,