The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-25

Q. CD There is plant growing to feet tall. with leaves similar Ito Orleander, with brilliant red star ,- where can I obtain? CD. l have a tall growing arbor vitae, set out about last Christmas, that I water freely but it's dying. What is the cause? ts). w ou1d you water shrubs, such as junipers and etc. often? Mrs. J. R. r.. East Lake.
 A. t1). It is difficult to say, Just what the plant referred to is, in the absence of a sample of flower and 7. one of the leaves--it could to sew eral. but if the plant is a shrub and t in bloom now, it must be one of the hardy hibiscus and may be ob- tained from most nurserymen. Szl. The chief reason for arbor Vltaes dy- ing is the want of care in taking up so as to preserve roots. improper setting out is also big factor. This must be the trouble in your case as the plant was set at about the right time. Late setting out Is bad for most evergreens. (3.) Frequent watering of most shrubs is not de- sirable or wise. If soil around plants show some moisture don't >, water but cultivate around as often as you can.
 Which one is it, the rag weed or the golden rod, that is supposed to cause hay fever? Mrs. J., Anniston. A. The pollen from both cause or .aggravate hay fever ragweed IS : probably worse, but neither should be allowed around.
 o. Will Bermuda onion sets put out in September stand severe freezes that we usually have? Are they as hardy as yellow danvers and as early as white multipliers? Mrs. w. J. M, Sylacauga.
 A. Bermuda onions should be mulched with stable manure or the , dirt should be pulled up to them dur ing winter. When thus treated they have not froze out around Birming- !. ham since 1899 when ten below zero occurred in February. They are not quite so resistant to cold as yellow danvers and are earlier than white multipliers.
 0. In sowing rye, barley, oats and rape for a pasture, what quantity or each should be used to the acre! Mrs. M. B., Ashland.
 A. Rye, one peck, barley, half bushel. oats. one bushel and Fape : or 4 pounds The quantity of each ] of the grains could be varied. If ! the grain be plowed in, the rape had better be sown on freshly plowed ground and narrowed in. as 1t should not be covered very deep.
 0. I have tried to grow borders Of Towering annuals and ~perennials around shrubs planted in middle of beds but the result is failure. What is the trouble and what plants would succeed? Mrs. w.
 A Such plant is mot to be rec ofnmended: because the shrubbery rnonopolizes the light. heat and aiu and besides, the shrubs being more vigorous feeders. will consume prac- ticaIly all the plant food and mois- lure, leaving the weaker plant to perish.
 @. In fertilizing old trees how close do you put the fertilizer to the s71trunk of the tree" R. G., Bessemer. -- A. This would depend on size and s~ age of tree. It is useless to apply fertilizer near the trunk because there are no root feeders near the : trunk of old trees. Apply most of 1t round about, under and near the ex- tremeties of the spreading limbs.
 EQ. My gladiolus are now in full t,loom and I want to be sure and save the bulbs for another year. Does 1t hurt the bulb to cut the flowers? Mrs. J.. Florence. A. NO, IL dOn nuTt tHe Dnio II oo will leave about to inches of the stem above ground, but it does in- .1hre bulb development when the stems are cut down even with the ground.
 10. Is it really worth while to try to grow English peas in the fallE If so state the circumstances under which success follows. 1 have ai- ways failed. W. J. M. Sylacauga.
 A. The reason for most failures ia fall grown peas, is dry atmospheric lconditions and too early planting. Early varieties will under favorable conditions commence to bear in 4o to 50 days. is naturally cool weather plant and really takes freeze to injure them. In this lati- tude fall crops should not be plant ed earlier than middle of September. The chief factor in fall growing is Thorough preparation and very ire squent cultivation to maintain mois- lure near the surface. The early dwarf varieties such as Alaska are the best suited.
 Q. What is the tall blue flower called alkanet and do you grow from seed or plants? Mrs. S.
 4s A. Ancnusa or Alkanut is culti- vated in southern Europe for the red dye coloring matter in the bark of the roots. It is a perennial lasting