The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-10-05

and while lime is not, strictly speak
ing, a plant food. although some
plants do utilize in their structure,
it does often perform a valuable
function in rendering soils more fer
tile. The best and least Injurious
forms of lime to use are gypsum or
lapd plaster, ground limestone and
marble dust. The latter is the most
desirable because it is the most SOL
uble carbonate cheaply available,
possesses no. burning qualities and
neutralizes acid conditions of soil In
a more efficient manner than any
thing else. 1t can be used freely or
literally without causing any injury
to plant growth.
Commercial acid phosphate, the
most important plant food, when
used in connection with marble dust.
never causes injury from severe ac-
ton on young tender roots or GER
minating seed, an important fact to
remember. Marble dust, when ap-
piled as top dressing to lawns or
any grasses, manifests remarkable
results, in fact, out of all proportion
to its chemical properties. The
reason for this is that marble dust
creates ideal conditions in soil fer
the growth and multiplication of
beneficial soil bacteria, so necessary
to all plant growth.
Questions and Answers
@. / am from the north and never
grew sweet potatoes before and
would like to know when is the
proper time to dig them for the best
keeping qualities? b. w.
A. Just prior to the first frost is
generally speaking the best time. It's
difficult to set a definite time, be-
cause frost varies much in time of
arrival. November is the chief gath
ering month and we rarely have a
killing frost before the last of the
month. A heavy frost is very liable
to injure the keeping qualities. The
age of the plants and state of ma
turity are both factors to consider.
Q. A little out of your line, but
please tell me the best way to re-
move paint from glass? Mrs. l.. L
A. Use a safety razor blade or a
very sharp knife and cut it off. Then
wash with some strong alkali, such
as ammonia or washing powders.
G. Do you think the watermelon
seed saved by these watermelon
gardens would be safe to plant? j.
II. N.
A. The seed saved by these water
melon gardens are generally from
select melons and quality good but
in case the fruit happened to be
grown in a patch with other sorts or
even near other varieties, the result
ing crop from them would likely
turn out to be a general mixture.
They might be pure but it is big
risk to plant any seed Unless grown
isolated and especially for seed pur-
poses.
Q. 1 am anxious to have my chrys-
anthemums in bloom by October 25th.
From the size of the buds. | am
afraid they won't make 1t. Could /
use anything to force them? Mrs b
w. S. Greensboro.
A. Fill Il barrel about half full OF
animal manure and fill barrel with
water. Stir every day and after two or
three days water the plants with the
liquid manure, sparingly at first. but
keep filling up barrel and continue
daily watering. This may accomplish
ground has dried off is essential
Keep the soil round about moist with
plain water; this will make liquid
manure more effective and less dan
gcrous.
O. I dried some okra recently but
it seems to attract dampness and
come little signs of mold. What
would you do to save it? Mrs. e. X.
and d. c.
A. Spread out in sun for two or three
DAYS. Take in at night to avoid dew.
Alter drying again, dust lightly with
lime and store in dry, we'll venti-
lated place.
O. / made a failure with hubam
clover the past spring. but l want TO
try the native Alabama grown white
blooming. When would you plant
and is it necessary to inoculate
Nj. c., Route Q.
A. Plant now or in very early
spring. 1t is a good idea to sow with
grain or grasses. 1t would certainty
nav to inoculate. The expense Is TOO
small to consider.
O. have crop of fall Irish pc
tatoes that are about matured. Nhen
is the proper time to dig? 3. u
Cullman.
A. 1t is generally best to let the
vines die down naturally because tne
potatoes then keep better, are meaiy
and of better quality. Should the
vines be green when frost comes
they should be gathered promptly TO
avoid possible trouble.
O. 1 have never planted pecans
although / have long experience with
peaches and other fruit. Are pecans
as subject to disease as ordinary
fruit? A. S., Gadsden.
A Pecans are not as susceptible
to disease as peaches, plums, apples
and some other fruits. but they DO
have plenty enemies, and inasmuch as
thew are so valuable their regular
spraying Is a good investment. Inefe
Is lot of literature available on Pc
can culture and it will pay you 10
look it over
all my life in Missouri and kentueky'
WHY do / fail in Birmingham with
the same grass? J. II.
A. The chief factors. contributing
to failure. are poor soil, lack of lime
and phosphate, but more important
still is climatic condition. The period
of dry atmospheric conditions rs too
long this far south for blue grass to
survive naturally. BY proper prep
arations, fertilization and the use OF
other grasses in mixture fairly sat
isfactory results, are possible.
O. Are the following varieties OF
violets good for growing in hot beds
and cold frames: Alaska, Marie
Louise and Belle de Brunneau. Or
could you suggest better? Ny pink
hydrangea looks as If it would die,
and while>it bloomed the past spring
the flower did not open freely. Could
you suggest treatment? Miss Z. =.
Talladega.
A. The violets mentioned are suit
able for your purpose, but considt
the double Russian better. This va
riety not only does we'll under glass