The Garden.

Otago Witness, Issue 1502, 28 August 1880, Page 7

The Garden.

{Written Specially for the Otago Witness).

By J. N. Gbigor.

To Correspondents. A. W. G., Broad Bay.— The enclosed specimen contains the caterpillar of a moth belonging to the genus Nootua of some naturalists. In early spring it eats its way through its blanket, or covering, and does considerable damage to the young leaves of trees. It is found on various trees (besides the apple, particularly the cypress family. In spinning its covering on the later, the small leaves are so fastened to the outside that the blanket appears to resemble a part of the bark of the tree. Juvbnis, Hyde, writes : — " I wish f to know where the seed of the common barberry can be procured? Is it suitable for a dry climate? How long does it take before it becomes a hedge ? How are the seeds sown, and in what season? Is the hedge cattle-proof?"— 1. If you have the fortune to know any private party who might have an old bush, you might get seed. It is not long since the plant was introduced, and nurserymen only have it in small quantities. A small plant would cost one shilling. You might import the seed from a Home nurseryman ; they being ripe in November, could be gathered in December, and forwarded in casks packed in sand. 2. Yes, but will do well in any part not subject to too much ice ; it being exceedingly hardy. 3. From seed, ten years. 4. In nursery beds or lines similar to haws, and transplanted out; Autumn, if obtainable. 5. Yes.