TO CORRESPONDENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 8 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS

M.M. (Tahuna). —The plant is Montbretia crocosmoflora. There are numerous varieties, which make a good show in autumn. The colours vary from the palest yellow to deep orange. J.F. (Ruakaka). —Portulaca oleracea. This is a difficult weed to eradicate. On paths or roads it may be poisoned, but on cultivated ground the only means is to prevent seeding by continual hoeing and grubbing. " Peach" (Morrinsville).—The peach is Kalamazoo or a seedling from that variety. The number of seedling peaches in cultivation is very large. In many cases they do not reproduce the finest characteristics of their parents, but now and then one will turn up that is an improvement on the old varieties. F.W.M. 'Thames).—l. The insects are small native beetles and are not associated with the brown rot. It is quite possible for the infection to be carried by means of inetcts or through mechanical injuries, which form ideal epots for the entrance of the source of brown rot. 2. The three-leaved specimen is a species of eryngium. 3. Pliyeianthus albus. " Lawn Trouble."—Tho weed is Sagina glabra, frequently a pest on lawns. The best way to eradicato it is to scratch out as much n& is possible by means of an iron rake. Afterward give the lawn a top-dressing of good clean soil, with loz. of bonemeal and loz. of sulphate of nmmonia to the square yard. This may bo done in the autumn—the end of March or in April E.W.L. (Morrinsville). —The weed is oxalis, one of the worst in the garden. There are no known means of eradicating this plant short of poisoning the ground, so that nothing will grow. Digging out in tho early part of the season before the tubers have time to form, with prevention of seeding, will oheck tho .weed, but not eradicate it. Small patches can be scalded with boiling water.

" Mushrooms" (Pukekohe). —The article was contributed. 1. Heavy rain would certainly be detrimental to the beds at any stage of growth, and provision should be made for carrying off the water, which would lower tho temperature r.nd make the beds too wet. 2. Tho old beds which have grown a crop of mushrooms are of no use for growing further crops. Fresh materials aro required each time the beds are made. K. (Whangarei).—l. The poor growth is no doubt due to seasonal conditions. Apply Buperphosphato, threo parts, sulphate of ammonia, one part, and sulphate of potash, ono part, at the rate of about 20z., hoed in round ouch plant. Thorough cultivation will also assist growth. 2. Tho " black" tree tomato comes fairly free from seed. An occasional plant may revert to the red, but tho plants should bo equally as successful as purchased ones. "Mount Eden.'*—Tho bark of the scarlet gum does not usually peel off while in such a young stats The probable cause is tlx it tho bark lias become hard and constricted by sunburn, after which there has been an increase in the flow of eap, due to rain, which has split the bark. If the now bark is forming, no harm will be done, but to prevent the sunburn, if the tree is unduly exposed, wind some strips of scrim round tho stem during the hot weather or until the new bark has formed. A.B. (Tauranga).—l. The leech does not as a rule trouble citrus trees, but tho leaf roller caterpillar does damage sometimes, and arseuate of lead will also control this pest. The type of spray to be used on the treee depends on what peßt you wish to control. As a rule, the Bordeaux" mixture will take care of the fungoid diseases. Use at 4-4-40 strength and at monthly intervals. Tho arsenate of lead may be combined with this. 2. There are several broods of the leech. The late broods may be feeding up to tho end of April. 3. Manure the citrus again in March with blood nnd bone manure or sulphate of ammonia. Tho remainder of tho troes should havo the mixture applied previously—in August. KEPOS.