30 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



TO corr;bspondents. 



Moon Flower. — W. K., Madeira. — There are two plants known as the Moon 

 Flower ; one is Chrysaniliemum serfetum, and the other Ipomea bona-nox. The 

 last mentioned is the one known in India under that name. 



Names of Ferns. — I^iiquirer, Tarhollon. — The names of the ferns are as 

 follows: — No. 1. Gymnogramma leptophylla; 2. Asplenium adiantum nigrum; 

 3. Asplenium trichoinams ; 4. A small barren frond, and insufficient /or identifi- 

 cation ; it is probably the same as No. 2. 



A. Y. JB. — In reference to j'our first question, we can only say that we cannot 

 advise j'on to do that which is illegal. 



Onion GnrB — A, Y. B. — The onions are suflfering from the attacks of the 

 grub or larvae of the onion fly {AntJwmyia ceintrum), imd there is no means of 

 destroying the grubs without injury to the crop. One of the best preventatives is 

 to spread a little gas-lime between the rows when the onions are in a seedling 

 state, as the smell is offensive to the fly, and may prevent its eggs being de- 

 posited in the onions, A sprinkling of charcoal over the surface has also been 

 tried with some degree of success, as the eggs are frequently deposited in the 

 charcoal, and consequently perish. In the cultivation of onions on soils iin which 

 the fly is troublesome, it is a most excellent plan to soak the bed a month or so 

 before sowing with dilute sulphuric acid. In the case of spring-sown onions, a 

 light dressing cf gas-lime applied in the autumn, and dug in after it has been 

 exposed to the atmosphere, will be of considerable service in warding off the 

 attacks of the grub. 



Snails. — A. Y.B. — Search amongst the crops and gather up all that can be 

 found, and destroy by sprinkling lime or salt over them, or by scalding them with 

 boiling water. A few heaps of brewers' grains in various parts ot the garden will 

 forra excellent trap; ; and if these are occasionally examined a considerable 

 number may be caught and destroyed. A little powdered lime sprinkled about, 

 not over, the plants most severely attacked, will assist in protecting them from 

 the ravages ot these pests. 



Bowling Gkeen. — G?. J. W.- — Ashes are quite unnecessary and the turf 

 should he laid upou the soil without any ashes underneath. 



Nectahine Tkee. — M. A., Kent. — As the tree makes a most vigorous growth 

 and bears abundance of fruit, it is difficult to suggest the cause of the fruit not 

 ripening properly, especially as the other trees on the same wall bring their crops to 

 maturity. It would be interesting to know which variety it is, as the Stanwick, a 

 lart'e and handsome fruit, seldom ripens properly against an open wall. Under the 

 circumstances the gardener acted wisely in giving the tree liberal supplies of water. 

 It will not be needful to cover up the wood of Marechal Niel on the wall unless the 

 weather sets in severe, when the protection of mats will be required to protect the 

 shoots from injury. In a kind climate in which the " sweet-scented verbena " can be 

 crown out-of-doors with very little protection, this rose will not in ordinary seasons 

 require covering at all, but as it is best to be on the safe side, you will act wisely in 

 covering where there is a probability of more than eight or ten degrees of frost, and 

 to save time and labour the protecting materials may be left on until all danger is 



past. 



Vakious. — Miss J. L., H. J. Moffat. — Taking the questions seriatim we would 

 say, in answer to No. 1, that the hay will do no harm whatever ; but, on the con- 

 trary, aflford material protection to the roots. No. 2. The crab should not be 

 pruned, with the exception of shortening hack a few of the longer branches, which 

 are likely to spoil the outline of the tree. In the course of the forthcoming season 

 these shoots will he well furnished with flower-buds, and the following spring the 

 trees will, in all probability, be solid with bloom, and present a wondrously attractive 

 appearance. No. 3. Vegetables cannot well be grown underneath the stage in the 

 pit, as there would not be sufficient light, and moreover the drip from the plants 

 above would be very injurious. Radishes and small salading may be grown in a bed 

 of soil made up on the stage, and the genial warmth derived from the bed of leaves 

 and manure would be of considerable assistance in promoting an early growth. 

 The bed should be from nine to twelve inches in thickness, and be formed with 

 scree nice, friable soil. It will also be useful for raising a stock of lettuce, cauli- 



