lo Sept., 1910.] A/zsi^'irs io Corrcspoiuiciits. 609 



Chrysanthemums may be phinted out for early blooms, but the main 

 planting should be reserved for next month. Any manure that has been 

 supplied to the chrysanthemum area should be well dug into and incor- 

 porated with the soil. 



Seedlings may now be largely planted out, and seeds of tender annuals 

 planted out. A few seeds of autumn blooming annuals for an early crop 

 of blooms may also be sown. 



A few gladioli corms, canna divisions and dahlia tubers may be 

 planted out; if dahlias are to be grown from cuttings, the tubers sIkjuM 

 now be in the frames, preparing for that purpose. 



AT^SWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



The Staff of the Depiitment has been orj;anizecl to a larj^e extent for the purpose of giving inforniation 

 to farmers. Question" in ever.y branch of agriculture are gladly answered. Write a short letter, uix iiig as 

 full particulars as possible, of your local conditions, and stale precisely what it is that ' ouwant to know. 

 All inquiries forwarded to the Editor must he accompanied by the name and address of the writer. 



I'.\SSiOX Fruit. — R.W. desires information relative to cultivation of passion fniit 

 vines. 



Answer. — Passion vines ^ould be grown on a trellis consisting of {josts anrl wire, 

 similar to a wire fence. A space of from 4 to 6 feet should be allowed between 

 each trellis, planting the vines about 6 to 8 feet apart. Passion fruit comes true from 

 seed, but the seed is often very slow in germinating. The plant rerjuires a good 

 soil, and needs to be fed, and old and straggling shoots pruned out each season. 

 The aspect and locality should be free from frost, which severely affects the vines. 

 \'ines continue bearing for a considerable number of years. 



Potatoes for Hevwood District. — O.micron inquires as to suitable varieties of 

 potatoes for the Heywood district, most of the soil of which is a rich red; he also 

 asks for short descri])tion of the Irish Blight. 



Answer. — (i) Earliest crop — Early Rose, Early Vermont; second crop — Carman 

 No. I, BrownelTs Beauty; late croj) — Carman No. 3, Up-to-date, Snowflake. (2) 

 See Journal for November, igog. 



Mancrixg Potato Fields. — H.H. II. asks whether broadcasting is the best method 

 of applying artificial manures to potato fields. 



Answer. — No. Use the ordinary grain drill. If the drill will not put on sufficient 

 at one ajiplication, divide the manure into eipial ipiantities and appl\" one-hall 

 lengthwise of the field and the other across. 



Chafer Grub in Strawberries. — Omicron asks how to get rid of chafer larvrr- in 

 strawberry beds. 



Answer. — No treatment is known that will efl'ectually destroy the chafer grub in 

 strawberries. It would be better to plant out in new ground. 



Varieties of Rye. — B.E.G. asks whether there is more than one variety of r\e. 



Answer. — Ves ; ^^'inter Rye, (irant Rye, Rye Corn. 



Green M.anure. — B.E.G. desires to know what he should sow on land having a red 

 clay subsoil, off which he has taken a crop of hay. 



Answer. — Dwarf Essex Rape is recommended ; sow at the rate of 6 lbs. of seed 

 per acre. Seed may be sown from the first autumn rains to the end of September 

 Preparatory to sowing, the soil should be worked into a fine tilth. This is an 

 excellent croj) for green manuring, but when it is sown for grazing purposes 

 Mustard seed at the rate of i lb. to the acre should be mixed with the rape to 

 prevent bloating of sheep. 



Concrete Silos. — H.H.H. asks what are the comparative advantages of concrete 

 versus galvanized iron silos. 



Answer. — A concrete silo is better in everv way if pr()]jerly designed and ctm- 

 structed. The difficulties are in obtaining good sand and gravel or metal, and getting 

 skilled labour. 



Fattening Vic, for Show Purposes. — FI.H. wishes to know what is the bes 

 method of fattening a pig for show purposes. The animal in (piest'on is in good 

 condition bnt not prime, and although fed with every variety of food in abundance 

 seems to have a sm.iU appetite. 



Answer. — Crushed barlev or crushed wheat soaked in milk, not made too slop])v ; 

 give in small quantities as often as the pig will take it. The trough should be 

 thoroughly cleansed after every feeding. (Ireen food of any kind should be avoided 

 during this period. 



