TO CORRESPONDENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 8 (Supplement)

TO CORRESPONDENTS

" Hillaboro'."—The fruits aro from the tree known as Maclura ponifera, or Os«ge orange. See columns for full details. Waitakero.—The information required would be too long for tho correspondence column, but if you forward name and address the detnils will be sent.. Y. (Tuakau). —The Epicure bean is usually grown as an annual and is not worth leaving for a crop tho next season, when seeds are so easily procurable. In any case, tho plants could not stand frost. "Pennyroyal," To Kuiti.-(l) Pennyroyal. (2) Yarrow. (3) Southernwood. (4) Montbretta. (6) Lift tho gladioli when the foliago turns yellow. The Japanese Iris can be lifted and divided in April or May. Replant at once in rich soil. "W.J.N. (Morrinsville). Specimen of grass ia Panloum crus-galli, variety pavonis, a native of the Southern States of America. There are about 400 species of this grass. The more common ones are generally known as barnyard trass, or cockspur millet.

" Kati Kati ".—The portion of plant appears to bo one of the varieties of Erythrina (Coral Trees). In the Auckland district these trees will grow to a height of 15ft. to 20ft., with long spikes of scarlet flowers. The habit is bushy, forming a round-headed tree. The seedlings should flower when three or four years old. M.D.P., Matangi.—The first plants that form on the runners of strawberries are tho only ones worth saving. All the others should b'» cut off. Peg down the runners, or place stones on them close to the plant, to encourage rooting. The young plants may bo transferred to the bed. as soon as they havo made good root— during tho next two or three months. RA It , Ngaruawftbia.— Being a seedling, the'apple, of courso, could not bo named It lias an attractive appearance, but is ot ■>lo value for dessert purposes. Might possibly be of value for culinary use, and from its substance should be a good keeper. It is worth trying out from these latter points of view, but there aro belter apples to he obtained, and it would be a simple matter to graft the tree over with one of them later. W.11.F. (Moturoa).—l. In the case of the nectarine trees, the better plan will be to thin out some of tho wood immediately the fruit is taken off, saving as much of this season's growth as possible. The remainder will become well ripened and fruit next season. Do not prune any more in winter. 2. Thin out the centres of the lemons eo that air can have access to ripen the wood. I would not adviso root pruning them. 3. The damago is no doubt caused by tho bronze beetle, and there is no other remedy thup arsenate of lead. A complete cover must be obtained at 10 day intervals, otherwise spraying is ineffective. " Pamure Jack," Ellerslie. —(1) Thero may be several reasons for tho lemon dying. If tho soil is not water-logged, the next moot probable cause is tho withor-tip disease. For this trouble tho best remedy is Bordoaux powder, one ounce per gallon, aB soon as the trouble is seen'and. at intervals of one month. (2) The Canterbury Bcllb are biennials, and dio after they have bloomed. (3) It is possible that you havo some other variety of Campanula, as Canterbury Bells do not usually produce cuttings. (3) The seedlings should bloom next spring if good growth is mado, Some may delay until the following season, and will bloom profusely if not disturbed.

" Commorcinl Grower" (Pukekohe).—l. It would bo quite safe to spray with the arsenate of load while the plants were in the needling stago, using half an ounce of araenate of lead'powder to one gallon of water. 2. In a wet soason like the present tho spray is quickly washed off and loses its efficient". A sticker should be added, which may be two tableapoons of coarse treacle per gallon of spray, or the resin and soda sticker as given in these columns. 3. It would be quite safe to dip the plants as long as you do not put the roots in the solution. 4. If you sow tho seedlings in drills, walk through thorn occasionally, dragging a bunch of manuka or something similar behind you. The larvae of the diamond-back moth falls to the ground on a thread at tho least disturbance. The scrub breaks the thread and the larvae is unable to get back. If this is done before spraying, the kill will be more effective. • KEPOS.