Replies to Correspondents

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

Replies to Correspondents

J.G., Whakatane.—Thanks for the seed which has been passod on to an inquirer. G.A.C., Patumahoo.—(l) Pittosnorum tenuifolium (Kohuhu). ('•>) Carnnchae ia australis (Native broom). (3) Ponnantia corymbosa, juvenile stage (Kaikomako). "Kohi." —Tho macrocarpas can be cut now. It is not advisable to delay the operation much aftor the end of August as there is danger of bleeding when tho sap is rising freely. H. G., Epsom.—Your inquiry opens up a wide question which will be dealt with shortly So many factors aro involved that a direct affirmative or negative could not be given, us your list includes hardy annuals, halfhardy nnnuuls and poronnials. " Rhododendron," Romuora. —Tho foliage of the rhododendron is infested with thrips. Spray with nicotine sulphate on a warm day. Some soap should be added as a spreader. Tho applications will need to bo repeated at intervals as tho larvae hatch out. A.L.S., Awanui. —Tho aspidistra can bo divided quite safely at the present timo. Turn out of the not and pull into small pieces. When repotting, make tho soil firm and keep tho rhizomes (from which tho leaves arise) near tho surface of tho soil. "Novice," North Auckland. —Tho point in placing sand around tho conns of gladioli when planting is to onsuro local drainage. This point is of moro value in soils that aro inclined to bo heavy and adhesive, as it lessens tho risk of tho cornis rotting by reason of excess moisturo. R. 8., Te-rau-a-moa. —Tho lemon tree may bo afTocted with withcr-tip. Spray at tho present time with Bordeaux powder one ounco to one gallon of water and repeat when tho fruit has set. The blooms will have a bettor chanco of sotting with tho drier conditions to bo exporionccd from now on. H.G.8., Putaruru. —The plant specimen is Acacia vortlcillata, which makes a good stock-proof hedgo and is not so suscoptiblo to tho wattle galls as is tho black wattlo. On raro occasions galls have been found on vertic.illata, but if these aro destroyed as soon as they are seen, tho pest can bo controlled ou all'the wattles.

"Lemons," Avondalo. —Tho lomons can bo pruned ns soon as tho crop of fruit is taken off It is advisablo to rcmovo tho brunches that, hang less than J8 inches trom tho ground ns a precaution against tho brown rot diseaso. Other branches will bond down with tho weight of crop, and theso, in turn, will be removed when thoy become too low. X.Y.Z., Morningsido.—The best way to go', rid of tho moss on paths is to water with a dilute solution of acid and waten Tho common spirits of salts, or hydrochloric acid is tho best to uso at tho rate of a wincßlassful to each gallon of water. Carbolic or sulphuric acid can be used in tho same proportions, but caro should bo taken in handling. "Enthusiast," Warkworth. —(1) It would certainly bo risky to reduco tho number of the potato sprouts to one only. Leaving two of the best would bo tho bettor method. (2) Pumpkins and pie melons will "cross" with each other, in fact all tho Cucurbitao family intor-pollinato with tho greatest freedom. There would bo no harm in planting pumpkins and melons in proximity to each other.

so long as you do not desire to save seed from them. If seed is saved from such plants the progeny would be mongrel hybrids. "Tomato," Hamilton.—Tho seedlings have collapsed as the result of a chill. The soil in which the seedlings are pricked off should bo warmed to tho same temperature as the house .To tako tho seedlings from warm soil, straight into cold soil from outside is courting disaster. However, conditions will improve from now on, but the abovo precaution should not be noglected in tho early part of tho season. A.8., Tauranga.—(l) Blood and bone would be-a good manure to apply to all the trees if forked in at the present time at the rate of two ounces per square yard. For the passion fruits, apply, at tho presont time two parts super; two parts sulphate of ammonia and one part sulphate of potash at tho rate of two pounds per vine. In January apply from half to one pound of sulphate of ammonia to each vine. H.M.J., Waihi.—Tho disease of tho daffodils is known as yellow stripo. It is a virus disease about which very little is known at present as to its cause or tho insects which carry it. If tho bulbs aro valuable they could be isolated in another part of the garden where, with good cultivation, recovery often takes place. The only sure means of getting rid of any chanco of contamination is to lift and burn tho affected bulbs, if they are not too valuablo to bo disponsed with. " Trees," Hikurangi—(l) Libocedrus Doniana, native 11 name, Kawaka. This tree might bo called raro as it is extremely local in its distribution. In its nmturo stage the tree will reach a height of 50 to 70ft. Tho timber is dark red and beautifully grained but on account of its scarcity has been little used. ('2) Knightla oxcelsa, native name rewarowa, native honeysuckle, juvenile stago. This treo is fairly plentiful and reaches a height when fully grown of about (iO to 70ft. Tho timber is beautifully mottled, reddish on a light brown ground and is much used for cabir.ot and inlaying work. " Pigs," Hikurangi.—(l) Tho rooted layers of tho figs should bo pruned at planting in a similar manner to other young fruit trees, that iis, lomovo from half to two-thirds of the growth. This will ensure a sturdy framework for tho tree. 02) Figs require plenty of water during the growing season, but do not rolish a soil that is constantly moist, especially in winter. (8) Tho figs should do well in tho position indicated, and any additional supplies of moisture needed can be assured by making a basin of earth around the frees, then giving a thorough soaking during any dry spoils. "Citrus." —(I) Tho main branches probably have borer, this would cause tho branches to die on one sido. (U) Tho presonco of ants would indicate some other insect pest on the treo, either scales or aphis. If you can state which, a remedy can bo rocommended. (3) For tho borer, squirt some benzine into tho holes and then plug with clay. (-1) For tho ants, procuro some liivcr and cut into pieces as largo aB tho fist. Put into a hot solution niado by dissolving four drams of arsenlto of soda (poisonous) in ono gallon of hot. water. Hook a pioco of wire in each piece and hang on tho lower branches of the tree Tho ants will loave everything for the meat and carry pieces away to tho nests, so that next season there will be few to cause any trouble. Send name and address noxt time.