The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-09


 The. Modern zinnia
 A lot of careless and indifferent people go through this world with out ever repenting; true some of them repent Immediately before the long trip, but who can doubt but what in many cases, it's too late. Just So with many ladies, men too, who having seen the gorgeous zin- nias now coming into bloom write to know if the seed may now be planted. Will people ever learn, that there Is in fact time, when too late IS the only answer. You will have to repent and lament tho fact that you did not appreciate the old fash lon flower; call It the old maid if you will, but let me tell you that the modern zinnia has the modern flapper backed off the scene when 1t comes to a realization of modesty and divine beauty. Nature, aided by the apatient plant breeder, has done better job with the old maid than the modern school of society has done with the brazen flapper. When you come to consider what wonders have been done with the species in plant selection, you no longer mar fSi at lHe COntTaSI between NOOQ- row Wilson and Judas Iscariot.
 The Appeal of Flowers
 have seen the time in Birming- ham when nothing was more thought of than corner lots and population increase. It's true the saloon, shoot ing scraps. holdups and other crimi- nal activity had It's place in our every day life. But who thought of flowers during those days or the beautifying of the home grounds? It's different today. yes. vastly diff ferent. That flower growing and flower loving is gaining there can be no doubt not merely gaining in proportion to population, but gaining tremendously far in advance of gain in population. What Is a better sign of happiness, contentment and some fixed purpose In life, than the plant ing of fruits, flowers and trees? It won't be long before, if not already here. the finest thing in Birming- ham to show the visitor, will be the beautifully adorned residences of our citizens. There is one discordant note to mar the prospective and that unfortunately Is our city parks, too long neglected. It seems to the writer that here is some construc- tlNd NOIh lHdL Dc PiOPCA " taken up by our various clubs. The city fathers need such help.
 Save the Shade Trees
 have lived Tn Birmingham or 32 years and during the whole time have never seen so many shade trees infested with disease and in- sects of various kinds. You can hardly see tree that is entirely free from serious pests. Even the native forest treesA such as oak, elins, hackberry, hickory, sycamore, gums. etc. Supposed to be practical- iy immune, are attacked on every side. The foliage of all takes on an unsightly rough and rusty aspect and many are beginning to shed this early in the season. A critical ex- animation shows various species of fungi. accompanied in many cases by 1 aphides, bugs, worms and scale, Trees like humans, when they be- come unwell. are opened to attacks of all sorts of disease, and unless something is done for them, their enc mics overcome them the same as people and all other conscious life. 1t is some job to spray big tree but if you expect it to survive and live a, healthy life next season you 1aQ DGtltT BcI Oi ttlC JOb bSACA 70 At7 is too late. The cost of material for treatment of the average tree is less than 25 cents. Are your trees worth | 1t?
 Questions and Answers
 e. I am mailing you branch of pepper plant bearing very small ova orange-colored fruit. The plant was produced from a sprig taken from one that has passed through two winters | in an exposed location and is now bearing it's third crop. l am sure there Is a thousand pods and blooms | on the plant. The fruit is used 1T producing an excellent pepper sauce have always thought pepper was ar annual. Can you identify the va riety? G. R., Marion.
 A. There are two species of the genus capsicum and more than fifty varieties. The common garden va rieties. both hot and sweet. are either annual or biennial, depending on eli mate where grown. The specimen re- ceived belongs to the species whicf are shrubby- perennials, and the va riety itself very rare. It is a tropi cal variety and is doubtless the true bird pepper, although other varieties are .erroneously called bird fetter. Its
  sicum frutescens baccatum. It Is high | ly punEent but very agreeable In fla vor and odor.. It's ground product al lords the highest grade of commercial fred pepper, not easily procured, on ac' count of adulterations
 Q. l want to grow some late snai beans for canning. I had good sue cess last season but the beans were too stringy. to be good. What IS th' , best sort to plant? Mrs E. route 3.
 A. The giant stringless. rouns green nodded sort. is the very choices of sorts. It Is round. flushy entirel, stringless and of excellent quality a. I grew some tomato plants or the front porch and would like tt know If they should be hardened of before setting out in the hot sun Mrs. ". North Birmingham.
 A. A good plan Is to transpl an into pots. and as. soon as roots tak' hold. bury pots in soil up to rim, To cate in open for few days, then trans plant by knocking the ball of dir |