THE QUESTION BOX. 



578 



the rolled leaf. The remedy is, pick off and burn the 

 affected leaves. This is seldom a very»destructive enemy. 



57 Transplanting Onions. — Mr. Greiner's new 

 method of growing onions consists mainly in sowing early 

 in a cold frame and when the bulbs are about one-fourth 

 inch in diameter they are "pulled " and transplanted in 

 rows eight inches apart and three inches apart in the rows. 

 This is one of the best of methods, but I find that it has 

 been in vogue for many years among Maryland market 

 gardeners. They plant seed about the middle of March 

 in out-door rich beds, and form other beds about eight 

 feet wide and as long as desired, in which the sets are 

 transplanted about three by eight inches, as stated above. 

 The Silver Skin variety is mostly used. — T. L. B. 



Ans. — The "New Onion Culture," with or without 

 modifications, has been practiced by a few solitary growers 

 for years, mostly for growing bunch onions, and in Eng- 

 land for growing exhibition bulbs, but it has not been 

 known to the general public. I only claim that I have 

 ?-(?-invented and systematized this plan. That it has been 

 practiced more generally in Maryland is news to me. In 

 fact I do not understand this Maryland plan told by T. 

 L. B. Why sow seed in open ground as late as middle 

 of March, and then transplant ? I would rather sow 

 where wanted, and n o t bother about transplanting. 

 Neither would I have rows in permanent beds eight inches 

 apart. I want no less than twelvfe. Neither would I use 

 the Silver Skin for this purpose ; it is no good, except to 

 be grown from sets for bunching. It almost looks to me 

 that T. L. B. refers to the old method of raising bunch 

 onions from sets. If so, it has nothing in common with 

 my "New Onion Culture." — T. Greiner. 



58. Green Cabbage Worm. — J. N. L.— This is the 

 larvae of the cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapcc) and makes 

 two broods a year. Remedies are (i) Pyrethrum or 

 Buhach ; (2) hot water at a temperature of from 140 to 

 160 degrees, applied in a fine spray through a force 

 pump ; ( 3) a strong lye wash made of one-fourth pound 

 potash to three gallons of water, sprinkled on with a brush. 

 These insect remedies are best described in the Horticul- 

 turist's Rule Book ; price, 50 cents. 



59. Swiss Chard or Silver Beat.— J. N. L.— This 

 is grown for the tops only, both as an ornamental plant 

 and for cooking as " greens." 



60. Apricots Dropping. — A fine 12-year old apricot 

 tree has borne regularly since its first fruitage. This 

 season, after reaching the size of small hickory nuts, the 

 fruit dropped off. I have dug around the roots carefully 

 and found them sound, but the body of the tree up to the 

 first forks is bleeding profusely and coated with gum far 

 in excess of anything I have heretofore seen. The fol- 

 iage is full and rich. Any suggestions as to what will re- 

 store the trunk to a healthy condition will be appreciated 

 by — Jefferson Co. , Ky . 



Ans. — The bleeding of the trunk probably has nothing 

 to do with the falling of the fruit, which is evidently 

 caused by the curculio. An examination of the fruit will 

 probably show the larvae inside. Various theories are 



given for the bleeding or gumming which is common to 

 apricots, plums, cherries and peaches, and is variously 

 attributed to wet soil, severe or untimely pruning, violent 

 changes from heat to cold, the work of insects, etc. As 

 a remedy, some recommend that the diseased bark be 

 shaved off, the gum removed and the surface allowed to dry 

 up, after which a coating of grafting wax or shellac is 

 applied. 



5i. Pecans from Seed. — Will pecans raised from 

 seed produce nuts like the seed ? — Subscriber . 



Ans. — Trees having tap roots, like the walnut, pecan, 

 etc. , always reproduce their kind. The tree from which 

 I got my seed pecans had another tree some 50 yards 

 away from it which planted from the seed, and repro- 

 duced and does reproduce the identical pecan planted, — 

 F. A. SwiNDEN, Texas. 



62. East Indian Plants. — Inquirer. — A choice col- 

 lection of bulbs and tubers of ornamental plants, of 

 orchids, tropical ferns, palms, etc., are offered by J. P. 

 William & Bros., Heneratgoda, Ceylon. 



Puddling. — What does "puddling" of plants mean? 

 — W. H. C. 



Ans. — When setting plants, provide yourself with a 

 pan, pail or tub of muddy water, or watery mud. Dip 

 the roots of the plants into the liquid and then set them 

 in the ground. That is one way ; a better is to carefully 

 arrange the roots in the cavity, throw in a little soil and 

 then fill the hole with water and fine soil, literally 

 "puddling" the plant. A little stable manure in the 

 water helps. 



Pecans in Missouri. — Will pecans thrive in the 

 neighborhood of St. Louis ? How can I make my three 

 acres pay 15 miles from the city market ? The soil is 

 too rich for water-melons and sweet potatoes. How about 

 onions? The winters are uncertain and changeable. — 

 Subscriber. 



Black Walnuts.— W. H.— The Black walnut is indi- 

 genous in central New York. The most successful way 

 of growing trees is to plant the nuts, as soon as gathered, 

 where the trees are to grow. Trees have a long tap root 

 and transplanting is liable to injure them. They may, 

 however, be transplanted if great care is taken. The 

 nuts may be placed in sand when gathered instead of 

 being planted at once, and planted in spring, or the trees 

 may be purchased of nurserymen. 



Moving Mature Plants. — H. — Most hardy peren- 

 nial garden plants may be moved safely in autumn 

 after the leaves have dropped. Prune or cut the tops 

 back vigorously a few weeks before removal. Take up 

 with all the roots possible and transfer carefully to the 

 new position. A correspondent of Gardening moves 

 clematises a long distance by setting in a half -cask in rich 

 loam ; then setting cask and all in the cavity in the new 

 location, knocking off the hoops and removing the staves 

 and bottom, and filling in with soil simultaneously. A 

 thorough if somewhat expensive method. 



