The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-26

Patronize the Home Merchant
 It is the right and duty of every one to buy his needs as cheap as he can but this idea of sending off for many things without giving your local merchant a chance is bad business. Some communities are sb- sessed with the idea that their local merchant Is robbing them and , there is a disposition for farmers land other individuals to club to- Bether and send off for many things That they ought to purchase from .the local merchant. This individual Sending away together with coop erative effort is seriously injuring many small town merchants. These ,out-of-town buyers don't aeem to realize that the value of their own real and personal property is all ways greatly enhanced when their local town Is built up by the sup port of It's citizens round about. If your local merchant doesn't handle what you require, try te induce him to put the article in stock or give him an opportunity to order foe you. Most of them will gladly do this. resell you just as cheap, and some times cheaper than you pay abroad, all charges considered. It Is ne- cessary to send away for some things, but always give your home mer- chant chance.
 .e Enemies of Late Potatoes
 Complaints already reaching The Age-Herald would indicate that the young plants of the fall crop of Irish potatoes are being attacked by some blight associated with i'm jury caused by certain flea beetles. It Is evident that the attack of flea beetles, causing the appearance of little round holes in the foliage. of potatoes as we'll as other plants, 1af- lords favorable places for certain fungi to become established. This is why, frequently, plants effected with fungus are noticed to be in- jured by holes in the foliage. The two symtoms usually go together. At the first sign of such trouble and preferably before appearance, the plant should be sprayed with Bor- deaux mixture. using about two ounces of dry Bordeaux to the gal lon of water, and if a tablespoon full of arsenate of lead be used in the gallon mixture, potato bugs or ether leaf eating insects will be pre- vented or destroyed. It should be remembered that while the potato plant will stand a strong applica- tion of Bordeaux, with many other plants, the quantity would have to be reduced Most sprayings should be repeated a time or two, say at Is day intervals.
 Soil Diseases
 It is often the case that plants become sick and die when no in- sects or disease can be recognized as doubling or attacking the foli- age pr trunk of the plant. We are freouently at a loss to understand what the trouble is. We may some times attribute the trouble to root diseases but just what causes the condition is not generally under /. stood 1t should be understood that roots of plants are subject to at- tack by certain insects that either , live altogether in the soil or at least a greater part of their lives. All soils contain more or less fungi, some of which attack roots and are se- rious enemies to all plant life. When soils remain uncultivated. drainage had and other conditions obtain to \ prevent capillary movement, air and light. the development of injurious fungi often becomes a serious mem ace to any plant growth. peep breaking and thorough cultivation is needed and drainage often es- sential. Injurious soil fungi may he destroyed in the soil with cop per salts, sulphur and some gasses' but in using this treatment, be sure to first consult competent authority.
 Questions and Answers
 O. We have Qunatity of peren- nial phloxes that have remained un- disturbed for years. For the last two seasons we notice that. while formerly the bioms were crimson and scarlet. a great many now are dif- ferent shades of lavender and ma genta. Did you ever hear or such thing and what causes it? Mrs. B. Tuscumbia.
 A. This same condition happens with a number ot perennials. There Is disposition to degenerate and reVer. in tho absence of selection. To aVoio- these conditions, strong growing or