READERS' PROBLEMS: Some Queries Answered

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23618, 30 March 1940, Page 8 (Supplement)

READERS' PROBLEMS: Some Queries Answered

Identification ot Flower. —Please name flower enclosed? —R.D., Whakatanc.

Colchicum autumnale. Autumn crocus oi meadow saffron. Identification of Flower.—Having purchased a bulb for a Scarborough lily, it has produced this flower. Can you identify it?— MrD. C.E.8., Buckland.

Ismene calathina, the Peruvian or Sea Daffodil. Native to South America and hardy in the warmer districts of the Dominion.

Identification ot Apples.—"Will yon kndly give the names of enclosed appTos numbered from 1 to 10? —N.F.P., Putaruru. Apples for identification should bo mature and sound; damaged and green specimens are useless. Each specimen should be mature so that it carries the characteristic colouring of the variety. Most green apples look alike. Cabbage Fly.—Would you adviso mo how to stop the fly or moth from attacking my cabbage and cauliflower plants? I have kept them sprayed with lime-sulphur and arsenate of lead, but it has failed to stop them. Also, what manure is best to use for tho seed bed and for bringing the cabbage to maturity?— 8.J.H., Manurewa. You should not use lime-sulphur and arsonate of lead together. Use the arsenate of lead alone, loz. to each gallon of water, with a little treaclo added to act as a sticker. Alternatively, dust with derris dust or spray with nicotine sulphate and soap. Frequent sprayings will be needed, say, once or twice a week. Use superphosphate for the seed bed. and. in the absence of animal manures, three parts blood and bone to one part of sulphate of potash to bring the crop to maturity.

Carrot Failure. —For many years wo have tried to grow carrots without success. The roots are spoiled by wireworm. We have tried kerol and field mustard without success. Can you advise a suitable remedy?—A. 11. Hamilton.

Arc you suro that it is wireworm and not the grub of the carrot fly which destroys your rootsV It is more likely to be the latter. Sand impregnated with kerosene, or horticultural napthaleno sprinkled between the rows when the fly is on the wing will deter the egg-laying. Tho first brood appears about November. Lawn cuttings spread along tho rows close to tho crowns will also prevent egg-laying. Wood Ashes. —-Would you advise as to what uso I could put wood ashes in a vegetable garden? Is it a manure, and could 1 put it in after digging in weeds and kitchen rofnse? Would it be useful on ground in which to grow stocks? Will it mix with cow manure? Is agricultural lime a manure or a cleaner of the soil?—"lgnoramus," Tauranga. Y/ooa ashes can be used safely with almost any crop in the garden. If, however, the soil is inclined to be sticky, the wood ashes will make it more so. For loot crops the wood ashes will be especially good, also for stock?. Wood ashes will mix well with cow manure. Agricultural limo is not a manure, but a soil corrective, in that it corrects acidity and tenders available latent minerals that are already in the toil.

Internal Cork of Apple.—(l) Many of my apples go brown in patches inside as sample enclosed. It has been suggested that tho defect may be due to lack of boron. Could this bo remedied by the application of borax, if so, in what quantity and when? ('J) I have successfully carried out your directions for drying fruits. I stored in a box but in July they began to tret worm. Some stored in a screw top jar kept until December, when they went mouldy. How would you suggest keeping tho dried fruit? (3) Cheshunt Compound will not combat collar rot in peasP (4) I cannot now ccrow parsley. Might tbero be a soil deficiency? (5) A mercury compound has been recommended to me but I have been unable: to obtain it from tho seed stores. Do you know where I could procuro it? — "Blights." Papakura.

(1) The application of borax will most probably correct the deficiency causing tho internal corky patches in apples. Tho amount of borax varies with the age of the treo, but for an average full bearing treo lib. of borax would be sufficient. The time of application seems to be immaterial. Some success has been obtained by spraying tho treo with borax solution while in full leaf. (2) Pleased to know that the fruit drying was successful. The sulphur treatment is given tho commercial fruit to keop it a good colour, otherwise it has a dark appoaranco. Screw-top jars are j a good method of keeping the dried fruit, but they must be kept airtight, once opened tho contents should bo used as soon as possible, sinco if moist air enters, tho fruit goes mouldy. If boxes aro used, paper should bo pasted over tho cracks to keep airtight, (3) It is foot-rot which attacks peas not collarrot and there is not at present a fungicide which will control this trouble. Giving the soil a rest from peas is the principal con-

trol. ('1) It may be a deficiency of lime which causes the failure of the parsley. (5) Cannot say where the compound may be obtained. Identification of Grass. —Would you give the botanical names of the two enclosed grasses?—S.B., Onehunga. (1) Panicum crus-galli, commonly called barnyard grass. (1) Panicum sanguinale, crab grass, devil's fingers or summer paspalum. Apple Leaf Scorch.—Could you name the disease on the enclosed apple leavesV The brown stain spreads all over the leaf, gradually killing it.—" Worried," Northern Wai* roa The trouble is due to malnutrition and is not a disease. Leaf scorch denotes a lack of potash in the soil. If this element is supplied, there should be an improvement. It may take more than one or two seasons to right the difficulty. Planting Shrubs. —Would you advise the names of two shrubs or small trees which would bo suitable to plant in a very exposed position? Flowering varieties are preferred. The position faces cold south winds and gets very little sun. When would ho tho best time to plant?—" Amateur," Pukekohe. Any of the following would suit your purpose:—Choisya ternata, hydrangeas, Viburnum opulug, Abelia floribunda, or Mahonia aquifolium. Plant April or May; tho next oesi time would bo August-September.

Identification of Plant.—Name of creeper and explain how it attracts butterflies and moths by its perfume and holds them when the flowers arc touched.- —J.P., Takapuna.

The plant is Arauja sericifora, commonly called Physianthus alliens, or moth plant, from its habit of catching moths and butter-

7 o Correspondents. Unlortnnately, tack of space necessitates replies to numerous garden problems being held ooer each week. These Will all appear tn due course, but in any case of urgency a stamped addressed envelope will bring an immediate reply.—"Kepos."

flics alive. The peculiar construction of tho pollen necessitates the insects thrusting their proboscis between the masses to reach the nectar. On being touched, two pollen masses spring together like a trap, holding tho proboscis firmly. Unliko other insect-catching plants, tho moth plant does not digest the catch, but it is merely a device to ensure pollination.

Pruning Shrubs. —Would .vou advise how and when to prune the following shrubs:—(l) Eriostomoin nerifolium. (2) Spiraea Anthony Watercr. (3) Daphne ftcd. (I) Heliotrope. (r>) Hydrangeas. (<>) Andromeda japonica. (7) When to" cut back Chrysanthemum maximum.—"Amateur," To Kopuru.

(J) Trim lightly into shape as soon as the flowers aro past in spring. (2) Cut out thin weakly growth right to the base and shorten <iny long growths by one-third, immediately after flowering. CI) Do not prune. ( I) Trim into shapo in spring by cutting off straggling growths. (5) Thin out weakly growths right to the base and shorten the stronger growth by one-third, immediately after the flowers are past. (0) Do not prune. (7) Tn autumn as soon as the flowers fade, cut. right to the ground.

Daphno Failing.—A daphne, in its present position for six years has turned yellow during 'lie last few, weeks. I have not given it any manure; is that (lie trouble? It may be overcrowded as it is mar a lawsoniana hedge and has a self-sown peach treo, various Hants and bull's around it. Fruit trees in about seven years aro slow in hearing. Have given an occasional dressing of horso manure and last year a heavy top-dressing of lime and this year all the trees have had fair crops except two apples. These trees look very well but had hardly any flowers. Can I have pruned it too heavilyP Would be grateful for advice. —I. G. M. Tauranga. (1) The Daphne is probably starved, unless it has had a doso of limit which this plant hates. If the roots aro not dead an application of sulphate of ammonia will improve matters. A little more freedom from competition would give the daphne a better chance. ('_>) 11. should be possible to ascertain now whether you are likely to have a crop of apples on tho trees next season, as tho fruit buds should be. formed now. Tho fruit buds can be recognised by being surrounded by a ring of leaves without a growing point, such as is seen in the ordinary laterals. If

no fruit buds arc visible root prune the trees in April. The result of this will bo lessenc! growth the following season, but a plentiful set of fruil Inula which will carry fruit the season after. Identification ol Shrub. —Would you inform me or the name of enclosed specimen which is growing or mv farm? Is it poisonous!- —L.W.C., Waihou. Leycesteri t forinosa, 1 native of China. It is not poisonous. Commonly called pheasant berry. The seeds are carried by birds niul the plant has become widely distributed from the original plantings in gardens.

Pear Slug.—Could you let me know what is wrong with the pea- leaves enclosed? 1 have sprayed the tree with Bordeaux mixture in winter, and Inter with lime sulphur, but the leaves are all affected, us enclosed. —"Curious," Waiu'u. The (lanugo is done by the pear slug, commonly called "leech." A poison spray is needed to combat this trouble. Spray at inte.vals with arsenate ol lead, half an ounce, to each gallon of water Identification of Apples.—Could identify the apples enclosed? —"Pomona," Epsom. Most of your apples may be seedlings, as they do not correspond to any known named varieties. The following can he recognised:— (I) Staynuin Winesap. ( I) Adam's Pearmain. (5) London Pippin. (G) Kibston Pippin.

Pear Blight.—Will you kindly identify pear disease and state treatment to be followed? —Mrs. Is., Epsom. The disease is pear scab and the preventive is to spray with Bordeaux mixture at winter strength just as the tips are showing green in spring. Periodical sprayings should follow during the growing season at the summer strength.

Hcdße Cuttings.—Could you advise mo ot' the best, time to put in hedge cuttings? Would Olcaria Forsterii gigantea bo a suitable hedge for l'ukekohe, or what could you idvise as a quick growing heds'o? —"Hedge," Pukckolic

The end of March or in April are the best times for inserting hedge cuttings. The Olcaria should make a good hedge, but you may find it rather slow of growth at first. Abelia fioribunda will grow quickly from cuttings, also Lonicera nitida; both of these will make a good hedge quickly.

Preparing (or Tulips.—How should one prepare a tied for growing tulips? What manure should bo incorporated, and when is the best time to plant the bulbs P The soil is mostly sand.—" I'amaki Tulips," Kohirnnrama. •

It is best to avoid animal manures when planting the tulip bulbs, unless it is very thoroughly decayed and put well down where it dors not romo into contact with the bulbs themselves. Tulips do not require a rich soil, and one which has i><". i well manured for some previous crop is '.jo best. Bonemeal is safo to use and can be spread on the bed at the rate of Uoz. per square yard previous to planting. In your sandy soil plant the bulbs with Mil. of soil over the nose of the bulb. Planting need not bo undertaken until late April or early in May. Use ot Fertilisers. —You recently gave mo the correct mixtures of fertilisers for various vegetables, but I am not clear how and when they should bo applied. Should the fertilisers be 'placed round the plants after they have taken root or placed underneath before they are planted? With seed, should the fertiliser be raked in at planting time, placed in the drills, dug in beforo planting, or not used until the seeds are up?

The best practico with practically all fertilisers is to give occasional top-drossings between tlie rows after the plants have taken root or tho seedlings have germinated. Hoe in at once. Sowing fertilisers in drills with tho seed will often spoil the germination, except in the case of superphosphate, which may bo dusted jilong the drills, then stirred in before sowing the seeds. Tomato Sced.--(l) Am sending specimens of tomatoes. Am they a now kind? Could I Krow from seed if 1 saved some ripe fruits? ('•>) Js there any way of increasing tho juice and thinning the skin of citronelle? The skin is also covered with pimples. Why?—" Grateful," Epsom (L) Variety known as Bccflieart. Allow the fruits to become dead ripe, then scoop out pulp and seeds into a vessel. "Wash thoroughly in water, then spread tlio seeds on a sheet of glass in the sun to dry. Beforo tho seed is quite dry, scrape off and rub between the hands to separate the seeds. Finish drying, the? keep in .1 sealed envelope till sowing' time next spring. '2) No, it is tho natural character of tho citronelle. Your best plan is to cut tho tree hard back and bud or graft a good lomon on ttio stock. Thanks for appreciation.