The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-01

T
 Nowadays if any one gets a mere scratch they will rush for the iodine, camphor or turpentine bottle, and it's the proper thing to do; yet people will witness the serious wounding of val uable plant or tree and look only to nature to correct the injury. Even children ought to be taught in school how to conserve plant life. and the grown-ups ought always ito be ready and willing to succor the wounded.
 Whenever you uncover the surface of any plant. you immediately lay 1t open to the attack of great variety of fungi and multitudes of boring in- sects. The treatment of plant wounds involves the same principles as with humans and animals. The first thing to do is to disinfect the injury, which in plants involves the covering of the wound with some waterproof covering such as sheIlac. When treatment is delayed, the wound should be disin- fected with some creosote mixture be- fore applying a permanent covering, such . coal tar or lead and oil.
 Prompt action is the main factor.
 Filling Tree Cavities
 Everybody knows how important it is to fill promptly decaying tcoth, but few seem to realize the necessity of looking after the cavities occurring so frequently in trees. A tree doctor is just about as important to trees as tho dental doctor Is to humans, but treo doctors are scarce and one Is left to his own resources. All sorts of woundj and cavities on trees are often the hiding or breeding place for many injurious insects and dis ease, and ought to be filled up like l {e,& at,s al the decayed parts and sterilize the wound with some creosote disinfec- tant. If much of the green wood has been distur. ed. give it coating f shellac. Fill the wound or cavity with cement, made up about one part to two of sand, tamp in. so all parts of cavity are filled solidly: band if necessary, until cement is hard enough to hold. If cement be moothed off to even with outer sur face, the bark will soon overgrow Don't fill the cavity too full so 1t pro- trudes.
 Home-Made Insecticides
 We are constantly being asked to publish formulas for all sorts of in- secticides and fungicides, and it is well enough to explain fare that most formulas involve so much explicit di- TcClioHS that lliHlled Spdce dI our ulS- posal does not permit of all the mi- mute details necessary for a success.
 It's the method and detail of mixiia that's difficult and inasmuch as more or less chemical reaction Is involved, 1t is often the case that the comple ted mixture would be something entirely different from that sought. It only pays parties using large quantities to prepare their own insecticides and these should follow the specific in structions laid down by government bulletins. It is much safer for the average user to buy ready made fun gicides and insecticides, and there is but little chance for swindles, because the national insecticide act is very strict and exacting on makers. and the formula of active ingredients must be plainly stated on the label.
 Questions and Answers
 Q.I read something about the beauty Of the steeple bush, but don't see 1t listed. Can you give me any light on the subject. Mrs. O., Collinsville, Ala.
 A.-This is a common name given to a more or less wild species of spiraea, the flowers of which are rose colored. It could refer to common cultivated species.
 Q.-Can you plant now the everlasting or perennial sweet pea? Miss s.
 A.-Yes. but they would not likely