The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-31
A Good shade Tree

many are thinking of setting out
shade trees, we are every day be-
sieged with questions about desirable
varieties. Various varieties will be
dealt with from time to time. but
today your attention Is called to one
of our native forest trees. the syca-
more. known also as cottonwood and
buttoaball tree from the fruit balls
which il usually bears. This is a
large, open, spreading tree: quick
growing and very desirable, but ow.
ing to its great size. it should be
given distance of so or more feet
apart. One thing in its favor, how
ever. il withstand more trimming and
shaping than any other large tree
and can thus be kept In bounds.
Its high head and open habit of
growth are distinct advantages for
street planting. Its very light green
foliage and conspicuous white and
green bark make of it a striking
figure There may be objections to
the dropping of the balls in winter
and spring but this feature is over
balanced by the great beauty of the
tree. The body of the tree seems
to be immune from attacks of dis
ease and insects, but the foliage is
often attacked in spots by a fungus
that fires the foliage and turns 1t
brown in spots. This disease yields
readily to a spray of lime sulphur
and should be resorted to 1T the
first signs of attack. Plant only
small trees. as they grow rapidly.
Fertilizers and Termination
There seems to be a prevailing
opinion among many farmers that
fertilizers, especially the concentrat-
ed plant foods. such as acid phos-
phate, nitrate of soda, sulphate of
ammonia, nitrate of lime. muriate of
potash and sulphate of potash, does
interfere with the normal germina-
ton of seed. The writer has con-
Quoted many experiments along these
lines and has never found any good
reason for such opinions. 1t Is posi-
BILE. of course. through the use of
abnormal quantities. to injure or ut
terly destroy young sprouting plants,
but the amounts usually recommend
ed and even considerable more, has
not proven dangerous in the writer's
own trials The potash salts as well
as the nitrates, usually recommend
ed at the rate of 100 pounds to the
acre, certainly does not, in this guam
THY. have bad influence on germi-
nation As much as 400 pounds of 16
per cent acid phosphate. in drills,
to the acre, did not diminish germi-
nation. If any of these materials
be broadcasted much more could
be used with safety. It is impor-
tant, however, when large appii-
cations are made, that the material
be incorporated into the soil so that
too much influence may not be ex-
ercised in one spot.
Questions md Answers.
G. How do you generally distin-
guish the different types of dahlias
from numbers that are listed differ
emily in the seed catalogs. Mrs. I.
A. The easiest way is to observe
the illustration of the different
types Descriptions and types are
often misleading. The peony flower
ed are large blooming sorts that re-
semb1e the peony in form. The
pompon are small. round ball shaped.
The show are much the same as POM
pom only larger. The cactus type
is characterized by long narrow sim
gle petals. usually twisted and
quilted. The decorative type is a
large Towering sort with straight
or smooth petals overlapping each,
giving 4 double appearances, YET
single.
@. want to plant bed of the
large bronzed foliage cannas. Gould
you tell me the varieties that should
be used in such a beds Mrs. e.,
Fairfield. Ala.
A. The following are all fine
bronzed leaved sorts but note should
be taken of the height so as to get
the best effect: Wyoming, about
seven feet high and bears massive
orange flowers; Brandywine, I to
feet high and flowers red; Shenan-
roah. feet. flowers rosy pink; King
Humburt, 4 feet, flowers very large,
of orange scarlet color.
@. When should sweet gum trees
for shade purposes be set out and
what size are best? What sort OF
soil is best adapted for them? r. T.
A. Sweet gum may be set out any
time from now until about March l.
Small, young trees are best, from
two to three inches in diameter. In
this climate they seem to succeed in
any soil but sandy soil is the most
favorable.
O, When you wish to establish
Bermuda grass for permanent pas
lures, how much seed do you recon.
m end to be sown to the acre? Il o.
Verbena. Ala.
A. The time and method Of plant
ing would have much to do With
ultimate results. From to 10
pounds should yield fair stand
to the acre. It is generally best to
SOW with something else as nurse
crop in order to protect until 1t gets
start.
O. How many onion sets do I need
to set out an acre. which variety do