The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-21

growth to rot in the soil. All decay Ing vegetable matter goes back into the soil, restoring the food 1t has robbed the soil of in making it's growth; but it adds more than taken out because there is restored to the soil a quantity of elements taken from the air, all of which go to make humus, so necessary to soil fertility Some plants are much richer in fer tilizer than others, for example, the legumes, such as clovers, peas, beans and vetches, are vastly more valuable than grasses or grain. Some people are inclined to believe that this is comparatively new theory ia soil fertility, but history, confirmed by recent research, plainly shows that this same method was practiced by the ancients for or five thousand years ago. This Is simple illus tration to show how slow we are to adapt practices that we know from experience and history are of great economic value.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Q. l am preparing to sow barley, rye and winter oats for my chickens. Could I mix grass seed in the mix ture to produce a permanent pasture for the chickens after the grain is gone? R. B.. Leeds.
 A. It would be splendid plan. The, grain should be plowed or culti- vated in. Then sow the grass seed on top of the freshly cultivated ground, harrow or rake in and roll or drag the ground to firm 1t down. About 30 pounds of grass seed should be sown to the acre. Use a mixture composed of 40 per cent orchard n 15 per cent red top, and per cent white clover.
 O. I am persuaded to SOW burr clover on Bermuda pasture to make a green pasture for winter and early spring. Do you simply sow the seed broadcast on the sod or would you run little furrows to drop the seed in? c. F., Jasper.
 A. The practice of running furrows about IS Inches apart with a small scooter or cultivator tooth is some times used, but the general plan in use is to simply sow the seed on top of the sod. It is often the second year before a good stand is secured.
 c. In setting out collards and cabbage this time of the year. where the plants are wilted, would it be ad- visable to remove some of the leaves? B. F.. Republic, Ala.
 A It's a good idea to remove some of the bottom leaves. When proper ly set out and watered, wilted plants actually live better than fresher ones.
 Q. am going to plant some vetch even though the seed are high this season. Do you think lime and phos- phates are needed to insure suc- cess? l.. R. Anniston.
 A. If soil is sour lime would be beneficial. Phosphates would help, but with vetch lime and phosphates do not seem to be so essential as with other legumes, such as clovers, peas and beans. The chief necessity with vetch, frequently demonstrated by the writer, Is inoculation. There Is no other legume that responds in more pronounced way to proper in- oculation. so if your soil Is not ln- oculated, I would certainly use com mercial inoculation for vetch.
 o. have a surplus of some nur- sery stock that I want to sell. but am told that will have to have in spection tags How can I overcome this? l.. F., Jacksonville, Ala.
 A. Write to Experiment Station, Auburn. Ala. They will arrange matters for you.
 o. I want to buy . lot of shrub bery for winter setting. Could l place an order early so as not to be disappointed? c. T.. R. F. D. $.
 A. Place your order in September or October, then there will be no chance for disappointment. If every body would do this. confusion, er- TOTS and substitutes would be large ly avoided.
 O. Can we buy various seeds that are absolutely guaranteed in every respect? H. O., Sulligent.