Answers to Correspondents

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22961, 12 February 1938, Page 10 (Supplement)

Answers to Correspondents

"Ben-Jos,"' Te Kuiti. —Specimen for identification, Black Mulberry (Morus nigra). ■ "Lorraine," Frankton. —(1) Scarlet runner. ('Z) Snake Beans. (3) Palo Dun. (4) Tho Czar. (5) Unknown. (0) Epicure. (7) White Dutch Caseknife.

E.M., Whangarei.—Sterilisation of tho soil with formalin, ono part in 40 parts of water, wili destroy the snores of the root rot. Planting, can bo undertaken in the soil again after a period three weeks.

"Foliage," Thames.—Tho specimen of foliage is hemp (Cannabis sativa). The seed is an ingredient in cage bird mixtures. Self-

sown seedlings aro always liable to crop up whero cage birds arc kept out of doors.

"Shrubs," Waiuku—The shrub is Escallonia Monlcvidensis, a native of South America. Does best in a warm position whero it is sheltered from cold winds. When in bloom the flowers havo a great attraction for moths and butterflies

E.M.R.. Kawakawa.—The withering and falling of the leaves of tho chrysanthemums may be due to any one of several causes. Without a specimen to examine it is not possible to diagnose tho trouble. If somo of the affected leaves can be sent, it may be possible to help you. E.F., Paeroa.—Tho white specks on the leaves of geranium have been caused by some caterpillar. Spray the foliage with arsenate of lead, half an ounco to one gallon of water. This should control the pest. Watering the plants with diluted liquid manure will encourage frtsh foliage. City.—Tho thrushes and blackbirds aro among our best friends in the garden. Although they may cat some fruit,, tho damage is moro than compensated . for by the insect pests they consume. Hope the neU ting of the beans will be successful; shall be interested to hear later.

M.A., Walton.—Tho lemon tree is infested with scale. Spraying with white oil (Volck)- : will control the trouble. Usq. at. two,..per wnfc strength, fhe black deposit is causod by-flu fungus which grows on the honeydew ex-' creted by the scale. This will disappear'when the insects are got rid of. • 4 ;-' G.H., Hamilton.—lt is not absolutely necessary to replace all the soil in the sweet • pea trenches. The soil can bo taken out to the dopth required, lime well, and leave exposed to weather conditions, forking over occasionally. A few weeks of this will, sweeten up the soil wonderfully. Replace the noil in tho'trench in time to allow it to settle, before rowing tho seeds. ■ K.E.K., Whakatane.—The insects are passion fruit hoppers. Spraying is not very 1 effective as the insects .■ return again ; when; all is quiet. The best means of control is by fumigation. Cover the vine with a Bheet, then sprinkle half an ounce of calcium cyanide on the soil beneath. The gas resulting will kill the insects. Fumigate at dusk and leave the sheet on until morning. "Trees," St. Heliers.—(l) The sweet peas were affected with mildew. (•«») The seeds will not be affected by the disease. As a precaution next season, dust the plants with sulphur before the mildew is likely to appear. (3) There are several seed-borne pea diseases for which sterilisation is a remedy. Dip the seeds in a two per cent solution of formalin for ten minutes, then sow while still wet. E.L.H., Wellsford.—The stunted appearance of some of the dahlias is due to a disease of a virus nature. Affected plants do not recover, and any stock propagated from them will show the same characteristics another season. Tho better plan would be-to get rid of the plants without delay before any more become affected, as the virus can be carried from, plant to plant by insects, or in disbudding operations. „ E.L.E., Ngaruawahia.—the swan plant- is badly infested with brown scale. You can spray with a two per cent solution of white oil. The quickest way, however, would bd to cut off the infested portions and burn them, then allow the bush to make fresh growth and keep this clean with the 6pray. The blowflies are no doubt attracted by the honeydew excreted by the insects, and are in no way responsible for the blight. \ £ J.B.S.,'Huntly.—(1) The best soil for king fern is one containing plenty of leaf soil. Two parts good loam with one part leaf soil with some sharp sand would make a good compost. King ferns- like plenty of moisture,' but the drainage. should be good, as they will not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Tho decay of tho roots would account for the browning of the foliage. Overhaul the drninngo ir the pot and repot- in some clean, sweet soil, after thoroughly, washing the receptacle. (2) Specimen of native, Podo-

carpus fcrruginea, (Miro). M.M., Tahuna.—(l) No fresh manure should ho used in land in which it is intended to plant bulbs. Basic slag or bonedust well mixed with tho soil will be satisfactory for narcissi. Anemones and ranunculus will enjoy well rotted manure placed well down, or blood and bone ran be used as a substitute if decayed manure is not available. (2) Lime can be given to most of the iris family, except the Japanese Iris, which appreciates a peaty, swampy soil in which to grow. The flag ins enjoys as much lime as it can get. (3) Thnnks for appreciation.

S.A., Thames.—(l> Tho grape vine is badly infested with thrips; these are responsible for tho damage to tho folingo. Thrips flourish in dry conditions and a good hosing in the evenings will help to keep them at Day. However, your ease requires something more drastic. Spray with white oil (Volck) at two per cent strength. Repeat in ton days. a& another brood will hatch out. Burn all dead foliage at the eml of tho season. (2) Specimen of tree is Juniperus communis. It is the natural habit of foliage. (3) Thp insects are brown beetles, tho adult of the grass grub. Both beetles .and grubs are destructive to plant life. The beetles are generally on tho wing during November and December.

"Devonporter."—(l) Poaches and nectarines enn be grown from stones, but there will be some variation from the parent variety. Plant the stones in the soil in autumn; germination will take place in spring. This is all that is required. (2) There aro so many kinds of magnolia that I cannot say how tall yours will grow, unless some indication is given as to which species it belongs. While the evergreen M. grandiflora with white flowers will reach a height of 30 to <lO feet, tho conspicua. stellata and fuscata types usually run to less than IS-feet. It is not necessary to cut off one of the branches, as all tho magnolias aro arborescent, shrubs which branch low down, rather, than trees which usually have a single stem. ; • "Phoenix," Huapai.—-(1) There Is no trace of disease or insect pest on the pnsslon fruit specimens, but there are definite indications of mineral deficiency, principally potash. Apply a mixture of two parts of sulphate of ammonia; two parts superphosphate; and one part of sulphato of potash at the rate, of ono pound of the mixture for each vine. In spring, just before growth starts, apply, sulphate of ammonia one pound per vine,, again when tho blossoms show, the full mixture again when fruit has set. This should correct the trouble. (2) There is nothing wrong with the eyes of Dougherty apples; it is quite a natural appearance. (3) The bitter rot arises in the first place from cankers from which the spores are washed on to the fruit. These bittor rot cankers should be looked for and cut out. In appearance the cankers are oval, sunken areas of dead bark, beneath which the wood is dead and dry. There should not be any fear of russetting with 3-4-50 Bordeaux, except with Cox's Orange Pippin. Thanks for your note.