The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-12


 Most everybody likes to have a , few blooming plants in the house during winter. For this purp SC early Towering bulbs are easy to grow, and are more interesting to the amateur than most any other flower. Some can be grown in water and will succeed if properly handled The early varieties of narcissus such as Chinese sacred lily. paper-white and several other of the polyanthds type, can be bloomed in water in fl om six ot eight weeks time. To have a dish or bowl of these in bloom for the Christmas table is a great treat. Hyacinths ar6 sometimes forced into bloom in water, but they are much slower than narcissus and rot such a success. It should be re- thembered, though, that all narcissus do better in soil than they do in water, and generally bloom longer. so don't trust water culture for all the bulbs. There are now great varieties of naccissus, jonquils and daffodils to select from. In hyacinths, the varieties are even more numerous. Tulips of the early types, generally known as cottage tulips, while later than narcissus, may be cultivated in 6 the house.
 A Problem In InOcufutIOn ef Evidently, owing to competition in the manufacture of commercial bac- teria to inoculate 1egumes, so neccs- sary to a success with such plants, the farmer is puzzled when he sees that bacteria is offered on the bushcl 3 basis. Some makers put up pack age said to be a sufficient quantity to treat bushel of seed for s1, when only one-sixth of bushel should be sewn to the acre. and the same quan- tity Is used where an entire bushel is to be sown to the acre. This lon't seem right and proper to the planter because he has always understood that a certain quantity of bacteria should be used on the amount of seed necessary to be sown to the acre, whether it be pound or a bushel. The farmer is right, because he has sense enough to know that the more bacteria you introduce into given area of soil the better the chances are to quickly establish colonies on the roots of young leguminous plants. The thing to do is to buy bacteria by the acre quantity and use on the seed you SOW to the acre regardless O.: the weight or quantity.
 Questions and Answers .f e. Can you tell me something about South American daffodils. if they would grow here and when they should be planted? Mrs. w., Mont gomery.
 A. Ismene calathina or Peruvian .daffodil, in foliage resembles an amaryllis, but bloom looks like a narcissus. There are produced four or five flowers, borne on stems about two feet long. They are rather ten der for fall planting outdoors. but are safe in the house.
 o. My dahlias have spread into immense bushes and no blooms to speak of Would you alvise cutting them back? Mrs. N.
 A. It would be advisable to cut away a number of side branches, se- lecting only few of the stoutest main stalks, and these might be staked and afford fine flowers late in the season.
 Q. What varieties of iris are those that make the dry bulbs which one may set out in the fall? Miss M
 A. The bulbous types are known as Dutch, English and Spanish iris. The Spanish and Dutch are similar, but the latter Is earlier. The Span ish has a wider range of color, but the English produces larger bulbs and flowers.
 Q. My pole beans are six feet long,