The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-02

| 800 pounds to a ton to the surface acre, depending on the natural fertii- ity of the soil. Where quick stimu- lants are needed to hasten growth an application of nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia may be resort ed to but extreme care must be exer- cised In it's application to avoid in- jury from over feeding. It Is best to obtain competent advice before un- dertaklng its application unless all ready experienced in such highly concentrates.
 Soil Humus.
 Humus is the product of decaying organic matter both animal and vegetable and 1t is to this complex that soil owes it's fertility.
 It is mostly contained in the top layers of soil and is that substance which imparts the dark color sssocl- ated with naturally rich soils. The conservation and augmentation of soil humus Is what agriculturist and horticulturists are striving for the world over.
 Humus Is the vehicle, excipient CT menstrum that holds together and conserves those soluble and valuable plant foods such as the compounds Cf 
 salts. so necessary for all plant life.
 Humus Is really more than fer tilizer as 1t is the chief conserver of moisture and Is productive of the countless millions of microscopic plants and bacteria that contribute so greatly to soil fertility.
 Humus promotes circulation, ven- tilation, capillary attraction. In short, it Is the very life giving blood to all plant growth.
 The chief source of humus is its own indirect production of plant life that returns to 1t through death and decay although variety of mate rials may serve as a source, such for example, as stock manures. dried blood. cotton seed, and other waste products; another important source is the death and decay of countless insects. animal life and the dissolu- ton of billions of bacteria and mi- croscopic plants.
 The importance of conserving and increasing soil humus Is better un- derstood when one realizes its great physical. chemical and biological at- tributes. This has particular appli- cation to intensified culture that should be practiced fin the home garden.
 Finally. to realize the greatest benefit from productive soil. thorough and frequent cultivation with ade- quate drainage and a rational system of crop rotation must be employed.
 o.-My Irish potatoes. planted over a month ago. are not up. What ought I to do7 J. c. c.
 A.-Rest your mind; we may have q V4 hAr %x~n if not up by then. 1t would be ad- visable to knock off some of the soil so the air can get in to hasten growth.
 o.-I read that nicotine from to- bacco Is a good spray for insects. How or where can I secure in suitable form? D. A.
 A.-You can buy from seed stores nicotine in a concentrate liquid form as a sulphate. Full directions go with 1t, how to proceed in diluting for the liquid spray. The concentrate Is known as Black Leaf 40."- You may also obtain a diiution combined with other desirable insecticides in a dry form known as 40 Dust" for a dust spray. The latter is the most desirable for general insecticide pur- poses. Needless to say, nicotine is a violent poison and must be handled with caution.
 Q.-I want some sort of evergreen trailing plant to cover a rough place that will thrive in both shade and sun. I have failed so far. What would you suggest? l.. M. D.
 Al would suggest vinca minor, known also as blue myrtle, myrtle or periwinkle. There is also a white sort, but be certain to secure the right variety as there are numerous others. Vinca minor is a low grow ing evergreen trailing plant excel lent for ground cover in either sun light or shade. and very hardy and persistent. The growth is flat. about six inches tall, leaves broad, begins Towering in May and seems to be able to resist hot, dry conditions and succeeds in any soil
 Q.-What are the best plants to grow to be cut and dried for winter bouquets. MRS. J.
 Al would recommend the hardy annuals easily grown from seed, such as acroclinium, globe amaranth in mixed colors, helichrysum mon- strosum in colors or mixed, gypso- phila (baby's breath) and such an- nual grasses as Jobs tears, cloud grass. white. green and purple foun- tain grasses.
 Q.-How much potash does kainit contain and is 1t a god fertilizer? M. D. R.
 A.-Kainit contains around 12 per cent, some samples up to 15, of actual potash K2O in the form of a sul- phate. It is very desirable plant contain and is good fertilizer? on account of slow solubility. It's availability extends over a wide pe- riod, and is thus desirable for slow growing crops. 1t Is of course not complete fertilizer, and is mostly used in connection with acid phos- phate and some form of nitrates to form a balance complete fertilizer.
 Q.-My mustard and turnips are going to seed. Can stop them?
 Mrs. E.
 A.-Mustard and turnips sown last fall are naturally approaching their time for reproduction, and nothing remains to be done except to pull or blow up and plant anew.
 Q.-How can I make my rhubarb produce long stems? Mrs. A
 A.--Mulch plants with animal ma nure, then set barrel with both