IMPOVERISHED TREES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21520, 17 June 1933, Page 8 (Supplement)

IMPOVERISHED TREES

RENEWING THE SOIL In some instances large trees that have become impoverished by neglect may, under reasonably good treatment, be removed and brought again into a condition of fruitfulness. In the renovation of sue)) trees the first step to be taken is to ascertain the cause of decay. Too often this can be traced to stagnant water at the roots, but whether it bo want of drainage or poverty of the soil, the soil should be removed until the surface roots are Taid bare and then be covered with good fresh soil, in which some good stimulating manure has been well incorporated. If the trees are comparatively healthy, but have proved unprofitable or useless, they can be renewed by regrafting with varieties that have been proved and that are known to succeed well in the locality where they are grown. YOUNG, VIGOROUS TREES With young, vigorous trees, especially when planted in deep, rich soils, winter pruning only tends to encourage strong, dense growth, which, if left unpruned, prevents the wood from becoming matured and ripened. The free admission of light, heat and air in abundance among the branches of fruit trees is one of the most potent influences in bringing about their fruitfulness. The more vigorous growth the trees are making the greater the necessity for thinning and shortening back superfluous growths during the summer or growing season. MAGNOLIAS i Magnolia stellata is one oi the finest j deciduous hardy winter flowering shrubs j in cultivation. The semi-double white flowers are fragrant and are produced over a long season. Toward the end of the winter and early spring, the beautitifnl white flowers cover the bush from the ground to the highest tops. The flowers are much esteemed for floating bowls, wreaths and other floral decorations. This magnolia is of dwarf, compact growth. Magnolia, Stellata Rosea, ft new variety with pink flowers, is a valuable addition. Magnolias cannot be too highly recommended for all ornamental plantations. They are exceedingly hardy and 1 floriferous. Magnolia grandiflora bears large showy exquisitely scented white flowers and large glossy leaves. Conspicua, the yulan tree, flowers lh the early spring. CALENDULAS The value of tho improved varieties of calendulas can be fully appreciated when there is such a dearth of other winter flowering plants. They are extremelv liardv and the flowers are admirably adapted for vases and bowls. Thev fast well, keep their colour and are 'most effective. The%>lendid variety. Orange King, has enormous perfectly double orange flowers beautifully formed. Queen is another attractive variety with equally large vellow flowers. Other double and single hybrid calendulas are very attractive with their beautiful range of colours. Tho development of the once despised old calendula or pot-marigold, to tho present dav superb forms, is truly marvellous. Thev are useful for winter flowering, garden decoration and cutting. PITTOSPORUMS Pittosporum crassifolium (the karo), -a small tree loft, to 30ft. high, or frequently a dense shrub, is an extremely hardy native shrub most suitable for planting as single specimens or as breakwind hedges, and is specially recommended for positions exposed to salt water or coastal winds. Jhe leaves are shining dnYk green, very coriaceous and white toineutose beneath, the flowers are chocolate coloured. 1 has species stands cutting and growing for hedge purposes. Pittosporum bugenioides, is a handsome, small growing, verv liardv tree with glabrous glossy leaves. Tt thrives everywhere throughout tho Dominion, mostly in the coastal regions. Drawing attention to the proceeding natives should be a guide toa few varieties that aro suitable for planting in exposed coastal districts. TO CORRESPONDENTS CG Wark worth.—Yes. il is ft Japanese quince. It is of no commercial value. H D . Avondale. —To destroy the minute white fly in tomato house, fumigatei nub tobacco paper or other forms of nicotine. •' Inquiry," Kins Country .-The necla rina is a sport from tho pencil. It is not possible to distinguish nectarine from peach leaves. "Weeds." N.D.P.—I. Verbena Bonariensis Dipsacus fullonum, fullers teazle. 3. Hnkea saligna (hedge plant). Bignonia jasminoides rosea, a climber. K MeK.. Tauranga.—Rooted cuttings or layers from tho Chinese gooseberry (Actm.dia Chinensis) would fruit provided you propagated them from the male and female, and planted them in close proximity. " Old Subscriber." —Gorberas thrive in anv good garden soil. In planting keep the crown of tho plant level with the surface of the soil. During dry weather mulch around the plants with manure and liberally water them. W N. 8.. Avonclale.—The blackness of tho leaves on tho puriri on two of the large branches may have been caused by lightning, as there is no trace of any disease, and you stato no. sign of any borer. It would be as well to cut the affected branches off. " Pukehana."—'The weed that has come up among tho young grass is the yellow or winter oxnlis. A light surface dressing with sulphate of ammonia, should control it For even application mix some sand with the sulphate. The oxalis grows through the winter. The tops die in the spring. W. 8., Mt. Albert.—-You write regarding a Meyer lemon having a yellow and sickly appearance and only half of a> large crop maturing. The tree evidently lacks vigour to ripen so large a crop. Apply a. liberal dressing of blood and bone and bone meal ill eqwil parts, or a topdressing of animal manure. " Leu Gim Gong," Tauranga.—You write regarding an orange tree planted in May of last year and remaining dormant until last April, when it started into vigorous growth and is now a profusion of blossoms. Pick off all the flowers. With reference to Austral berry. I believe it to be an annual variety of the physalis. to which the capo gooseberry belongs. The seeds were brought from South Australia. " Old Subscriber," Neville Street.—The Abyssinian banana (Musa ensets) dies after flowering and seeding. Tho hard seeds germinate freely and produce new plants. The Linden tree (Tilea Europaea) succeeds best in a deep, moderately moist, loamy soil, and is not particular to situation. The common Monk's Hood (Aconitum napellus) will thrive in any ordinary garden soil. Tt does well under tho shade of trees. It Hliould not bo cultivated in or near the kitchen garden, as tho roots aro very poisonous. "Amateur," Wellsford.—The plum leaves are infested with moss and lichen. Spray with the caustic alkali solution. To make five gallons weigh out one pound of the caustic soda, place in a bucket nearly halffilled with water, stir until dissolved, and add five gallons of water. Also dissolve Goz. of soft soap in a little boiling water; add this to the five gallons already mixed. Always add the soft soap last. Stir thoroughly. and il is ready to apply. Care must bo taken not to let any of the mixture come in contact with tlio hands or face, as it is highly caustic. The apple is infested with mussel scale, and should be sprayed with the, smile preparation or with white oil emulsion, using two to three level tablespoonfuls to the gallon of water. J.M.. Oisborne.—You auk for expert advice about growing tomatoes in a glasshouse artificially heated. Arrange the plants in rows 'if 1,, (lin. between the rows and 12iii. between the plants in the rows. Plant from July to 20 to have ripe fruit in November. For another crop to ripen in May and June sow seed between Christmas and tho New Year. Apply two parts bone, one part super and one-half part of potash two weeks before'planting. When the plants are knee-high apply 28!b. of blood and bone. Procure well-grown, healthy plants from a reliable commercial grower. Train on strings attached to an overhead wire. Well ventilate the house from thp top to prevent a. draught. Replace the soil every third year. Keep the side shoots pinched off, limiting each plant to one centre stein. Plenty of light is essential. Kepos.