NEEDS OF CELERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

NEEDS OF CELERY

SECURING BEST RESULTS Very large plants of celery are not always the best; gross leaves and broatl stalks are 111 some cases almost useless. It is tho closely-grown plant, possessing a solid centre, which constitutes tho best specimen. The value of a stick of celery can be estimated directly it is handled. A fine one should weigh heavily, although it may be only of moderate size. One of the commonest mistakes is that of planting out in loose Boil. Tho trenches should be made as early in tho season as possible. This does not involve any loss of garden room, as the intervening spaces can be utilised for other crops. The plants should continue to niako growth from the time thoy are planted. To enable them to do so the preparation must havo been good. From November onward the leaf miner may be troublesome. To keen the plants free from attack, dust the rows frequently with soot. As the plants grow and make more leaves and firmer growth, spray weekly with kerosene emulsion. The very thin film of oil settling on the leaves will deter the " fly " from cfepositing eggs, but spraying with emulsion should bo discontinued at least three weeks before th« celery is required for use, or the taint will be too apparent. Celery is a moisture-loving plant, and any shortage in this respect will have a disastrous effect upon the size and quality of tho crop. Occasional applications of liquid manure will be found beneficial, and for this purpose there is nothing better than cow or sheep manure soaked in a tub of water.

Leaf spot or rust is sometimes confused with the damage done by the celery fly. Tho areas of decay produced by the fly are paler in colour, and in the early stages the maggots may be found inside the leaf tissues. Tho black fruit bodies of the rust may be seen in the centre of the rusty brown patches. If the disease spreads in spite of the precaution of sterilising the seed, as advised at sowing time, recourse must be had to Bordeaux mixture, repeating the application every fortnight or three weeks. The enhanced value of the crop will more than compensate for the trouble of spraying. TRELLIS WORK By the use of a trellis either of the rustic kind, or the lattice wood variety, creosoted to a nice brown tint, and nailed to strong wooden uprights, the extreme limits of a small garden are made less forbidding, and more indefinite. The trellis or other support can soon be covered by climbing plants or rambler roses. Within the area of these embowered boundaries, further camouflage, to make a small space apparently extend indefinitely, may be contrived by the avoidance of straight, formal borders flanking an oblong stretch of lawn, which, in a small garden usually becomes a parched area of yellowish grass in summer. TOBACCO SPRAY For those who are able to obtain quantities of tobacco stems a useful insecticide can be made bv infusing two pounds of the stems in cold water. Soak for two days or boil for five hours and then strain. Add one pound of soft soap and make up to six gallons with warm water. This spray is effective against the ereen and black aphis, and pests of a similar nature that are controlled by contact sprays. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS M.R. (Kutarere). —1. Pentstemon barbatus. 2. Creeper is Tropaeolum pentaphyllum. C.L. (Mangero).—The tree is Solanum cnepum, popularly known as the potato tree. It, is of no value and becomes a persistent weed m places. Mrs. E.G. (Tuak.iu).—Proliferous heads of tho calendula are not infrequent; in fact, a variety has been fixed that will produce these heads exclusively, termed the hea and chickens. • Lemon" (Mount Eden).—lf the lemon, bears bloom, the possibility is that fruit does not set properly. In volcanic soil the trees should not be allowed to lack moisture, especially during the flowering period. Manure is required in March find again in August.

" Bluebell" (Otahuhu).—The pknt is borage, greatly esteemed in past times as a garden herb, but now little used. Selfsown seedlings crop up in many places, but it can hardly he termed a seed. Cultivuted plants become weeds occasionally. The term weed, strictly speaking, is applied to a plant growing where it is not required. " Mount Eden."—The time for inserting: cuttings of the zonal pelargonum, comnionly jailed geraniums, depends on when tJiey are required to flower. If reauired for summer blooroing, insert cuttings during February or March. If required for winter blooming under glass, insert cuttings during September, and keep all buds picked oil until the end of March. M.S.W.D. (Bay of Islands!.—The tomatoes aro infected with the potato blight (Phytophora infestans). Spray at frequent intervals with Bordeaux mixture at summer strength or Bordeaux powder, loz. to each gallon of water. It is always advisable to spray as a matter of routine before any blight appears, as most of the sprays are preventives rather than cures. J.W.D. (Avondale). —The fruits of tomatoes split after rain for the reason that the plants aro allowed to become dry at tha roct in a nvinless period, and tha skin becomes tough md unable to swell. Tho rush of sap following a full of rain causes the fruit io split. This can be guarded agr.ins! by gathering all those fruit® showing signs of colour when rain is expected. " Novice" (Thames). —The weed is Euphorbia peplis, commoniy called milkweed. The plant is an annual and can be eradicated by constant hoeing and so preventing seedijis The plants should not bo allowed to attain any size, as the usual practice is for the ueed to drop seed without changing colour, and plants are allowed to stand and mature seed long after they should have been destroyed. " Anon."—Pnssion-fruit hopper (Scolypopa aubtralis'. Spray with nicotine sulphate, two teaspoontuls to each callon of water, with plenty of soap to make a lather. Two or threo applications will be necessary at short intervals, as the hoppers jump at the least disturbance and return when all is quiet. Tho black smut is a fungus which grows on the houeydew excreted by tho insects, it will disappear when the insects have been disposed of. Your name and address and also nom-de-plums for publication wero omitted. A.C. (North Auckland).—The trouble with the dahlias is probablr thrips, to which the dry weather has been especially favourable. The small buds turn black and refuse to open. The leaves have a silvery appearance and are very much distorted. The best remedy is nicotine sulphato. one teaspoonful to each gallon of water, with enough soap to make a good lather. Tho spray should be applied with a good force, as the thrips are fond of the smallest crevices. Hosing the plants with clear water in the evenings will help to keep them down. " Sorrel" (Waikato). —1. Whatever weedkiller is used on the drive, it will noed to be applied in sufficient auautity to penetrato to tho roots. At this season of the year application should be nuute wheu tn« pround is damp after rain, or given ft good hosing first. An efficient weed-killer can bo miido from white arsenic ilb.. caustic soda 51b., and 20 srallons water. Boil tho arsenic m .two gallons, of water, add th« soda, and then make up to the '2O gallons with cold water and apply. 2. The parasite Aphelinus mnli is tho best means of combating the woolly aphis. Apply to the nearest representative of tho Department of of Agriculture. A.C.M. (Whakatane).—l The gerboras aro affected by a root rot (rhizoctonia). the spores of which are iu tho soil. The position should bo well drained, as gerberas will not tolerate stagnant moisture. The best treatment would bo to lift the plants and sterilise both plants and coil with a solution of for. Jin. one part in 40 parts of water, before replanting, or alternatively to water tho plants with a solution of Cheshunt compound. A fresh site would be advisable. 2. To treat iris leaf spot, cut off and burn affected foliaie as soon as seen. This niav have to be done several times. This treatment, coupled with spraying at intervals with Bordeaux powder, loz. to each gallon of water, will control the disease. Kefos.