ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 41, Issue 2, 20 August 1930, Page 140

ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES.

IN order to ensure reply to questions, correspondents must give their name and address, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Letters should be addressed to the Editor.

FIR AND PINE TREE TRIMMINGS FOR SHEEP. “Inquirer,” Rangataua : —

An article recently appeared which stated that there was considerable medicinal value in. trimmings from Douglas fir when fed to sheep. I would be glad to know to what extent this is correct, and also whether Pinus insignis would be as good.

The Live-stock Division :—

It is a common belief among sheep-farmers that trimmings from pine trees have a beneficial effect on the health of young sheep. The medicinal value, though small, is attributed to the turpentine these pine trimmings contain. Several farmers have been using pine trimmings for hoggets affected with parasites,, with variable success. The small amount of turpentine contained in any variety of pines has a very questionable medicinal value as a cure for parasites, and cannot be recommended to replace other agents of proved reliability. Pinus insignis should be equal to Douglas fir in its turpentine content.

TOOWOOMBA GRASS

“ Farmer,” Hastings :

In your April number you give a description of Phalaris tuberosa L. (Toowoomba grass, Harding grass). Would you kindly let me know if it is possible to secure a small quantity of seed of this grass, and would it be suitable for sowing on light, dry land with a shingle subsoil. How does it compare with, paspalum ?

The Fields Division :

You would probably experience difficulty in purchasing seed at the moment in New Zealand. So far as we know there is none in the North Island. Mr. G. Craw, Linton, produces a quantity of seed annually, but last season this was all exported to Australia. Phalavis is not suited to light, shingly country, but requires a good, heavy, fertile type of soil. It cannot be compared with paspalum very well, as the latter requires heat and produces its maximum in the hot weather, whereas Phalavis produces its maximum in winter. It has been noticed growing vigorously in North Otago during heavy frosts.

TUNG-OIL TREES.

“ Subscriber,” Manutuke :— Kindly inform me where I could obtain seeds of the tung-oil nut tree — if suitable for this districtand other information for. growing.

The Horticulture Division : —

Seed of the tung-oil tree (Aleurites Forcin') was introduced into New Zealand, by the Department of Agriculture a few years ago, and the trees planted out at Te Kauwhata Horticultural Station are now entering their third year. Growth, so far has been good, but it remains to be proved if they will crop satisfactorily. It is possible the tree could be grown profitably on some of the poorer soils in the Gisborne district, but the tests now being made will go a long way in giving a good indication on that point. A firm in China offering seeds for sale is Messrs. Drysdale and Co., San Chia Wan, Nanking, China. They state : “ The amount usually purchased is 2501b. Aleurites Fordii and 250 lb. Aleurites Montana ; this is to ascertain which seed is most suited to the climate. The averageprice is approximately 45 cents ($0.45) Chinese silver currency (approximately 8d. sterling or 15 cents U.S. gold) delivered Shanghai, to which should be added about 20 per cent, for freight and charges to ‘ destination.”

SEEDING OF SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER.

■“ R. M. 5.,” Winchmore :-

I purpose sowing some subterranean clover this coming season, and would like to know if it is likely to seed itself under intensive grazing conditions. I notice that under such conditions the sheep allow very few white-clover flowers to ripen seed, and I would like to [know whether the same would apply to -■subterranean clover.

The Fields Division :—

. Considerable interest is now being shown by farmers on the lighter types of soil in the establishment of subterranean clover. If the seed is sown in the autumn and the plants are not too heavily grazed the first season there is generally a considerable amount of seed produced. The seed is buried in the soil by the plant, and in places where it was sown two or three years ago the .grazing of sheep does not appear to have greatly interfered with the seedproduction of the plants and the renewing of the pasture annually by means of seedlings.

UNTHRIFTY STONE-FRUIT TREES

“ New Chum,” Enfield :—

Could you tell me why my apricot and peach trees do no good. Every ■spring they just ooze clear gum from where leaves should come, and then turn black. There are only a few leaves on ends of twigs, and the rest of the branches .are almost dead. The trees are five and six years old : Apricots, Oullens Early and Moorpark ; peaches, Red May and Royal George.

The Horticulture Division

From the description given of your apricot and peach trees, they are evidently .affected with fungous disease such as leaf-curl, die-back, or brown-rot. In any case they should be well sprayed with Bordeaux mixture as soon as the buds -commence to move, and later during the summer with atomic sulphur or limesulphur. Before doing this the trees should be pruned, carefully cutting out all dead wood and shortening back the remainder ' rather hard, being careful to gather and burn the clippings.

BUCKWHEAT FOR BEES.

D. H. Burns, Napier :-

Having heard lately of beekeepers in the Nelson District for some years past ■providing a patch of buckwheat for their bees, I should be glad to know if the Department of Agriculture has had experience in this respect, and, if so, with what result. Also, if helpful, where could buckwheat-seed be obtained in small -quantity suitable for sowing in a small home orchard ?

The Horticulture Division

Buckwheat is a crop of only secondary importance and has been little grown here. Small experimental plots have done well, but the commercial prospects for the crop have not been good. If you desire to try the crop .seed may be obtained from Messrs. Yates and Co., Seedsmen, Auckland. A small area is not likely to increase the honey-crop very appreciably. The advantage in this respect is obtained only when buckwheat is generally grown on the farms of a neighbourhood.

The Piripiri Parasite. At last month’s meeting of the Research Council the chairman stated that another attempt to introduce Antholcus, the piripiri parasite, from Chile, had proved only partially successful, the insect apparently requiring special care in transit. Dr. D. Miller, on his return to New Zealand via Chile, is to take a large consignment under his personal care in a further attempt to effect acclimatization.