The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-19

ly ofsinsthe United States are grown in Spain, or to be, more exact. the Canary Islands, just off the Spanish coast or rather the west coast of Africa.
 In the Canaries, thesseed are plant ed in January, by June grown onions are harvested. Thesel mature onions ares dried, allowed to,Srest until Oc- tober. then set out in rows to pro- duce seed the following spring and summer. This is the 3cycle of exist ence of the Bermuda onion.
 Thek Bermuda onions we have for the table in the early summer are grown in southern Texas direct from seed planted in october and Novem- Der The Bermuda onion sets that will be available for setting out in a few days are produced from seed planted in the United States in Feb ruary and March.
 Let eerybody set out some in Sep tember.
 Sweet Glover
 There is O lot of misunderstanding in Alabama about what is meant when sweet clover is discussed. It has not been many years ago when sweet clover was spoken of, one referred to what is commonly called melilotus, which name means literally honey plant. This Is today our native white blooming sweet clover that bees are so fond of and which covers a wide section of Alabama. known as the black belt, and is found growing in waste places over practically the en- tire state. It is biennial in charac- ter; that is, it requires more than one season from any planting to produce full crop of seed. It possesses in this climate some characteristics of perennial, that is, the roots some- time live for two or three years and put out growth each season. There is an annual of this type known as Hubam, white blooming sort of con- siderable merit There is now also in Alabama both a yellow blooming annual and a biennial. These yellow blooming sorts are very promising and will add very much to our stock I of native legumes. Now, when sweet clover is under discussion. take notice of the variety.
 Questions and Answers
 Q. My monthly blooming roses are not in bloom now and they are badly 1 in need of pruning. Would it hurt them to prune now or should We wait l until later?-Mrs. D. B.
 A. Don't delay, but prune at once 1 You will find the next crop of blooms 1 much improved. Unless you under stand the work better employ some- one who does.
 e. If you were growing pansy i plants to sell early next spring, when would you plant the seed? Mrs. B., East Lake.
 A, would SOW about September l. Make another sowing three or four weeks later.
 Q. How is the best way to pulver- ize hard red clay location where I | want to put out roses this fall?
 A. Pick or fork up now and dress with liberal application of air slaked or hydrated lime. Let stand for a 1 month, then fork again and incor- 1 porate some we'll routed manure. The lime will help break up clods. but many will have to be knocked to pieces with the fork. Such a location properly prepared is a fine place for roses.
 Q. How can a farmer understand the grades as expressed in so many different ways by seedsmen in selling grasses and clover seed?-M S. Boaz.
 A. Grades are established in some markets by inspectors, but they are not always uniform in every market The farmer ought to buy by actual bulk sample because he must sell by sample.
 Q. What is meant by certified seed? -J. w., Boaz
 A. It means that the claims of the seller or producer as to purity. vital ity, variety or other claims. have been approved by some competent authority in some cases by govern ment inspectors.
 Q. Where can get seed tested as to purity and vitality and what does it cost?-- H., Carrollton.
 A. limited number of varieties may be mailed to the seed laboratory bureau of plant industry. Washing ton, D. C., when analysis will be sent you free of charge. When pos- .sible a two-ounce sample should he sent with a statement of what is de- sired. There are besides many com mercial seed laboratories where an- alysis is made for a small fee.
 Q. For the first time the worms are stripping my cannas. Please tell Selma
 A. Mix tablespoonful of dry Bor- deaux powder and teaspoonful of ar senate of lead in a quart of water and spray thoroughly. One application will get every one of them. Most any poison insecticide is effective against the canna worm as they are heavy feeders.
 Q. In setting out . vegetable or Towering plant do you remove the bottom leaves or let them go into the soil with the roots? s. T.. Tusca- loosa.
 A. never bury any plant foliage with the roots because experience has taught me that such practice pro- notes disease. It is generally bad practice to even allow leaves i'm