The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01

l planting of sets. But this is a very expensive proposition and we recon | ment the seed in preference. e. Do you think it's entirely sate to set out tomato plants at this particu- lar period, and if so what varieties could you recommend? $. N, k. r. D. No. 6.
 A. We think it entirely too early to set out tomato plants. They might of course get by, but the chances are that we will have some frost that l would either kill them or set them back so that they would amount 60 nothing. The character or the quality of the plant would have much to do with the resulting crop. It would be useless to set out the young and ten der green house stuff that is being offered in Birmingham today. Hardy ut-door grown stuff from south Georgia or Florida might get by but 1 it doesn't look fresh like local green house junk and it is generally stunned by the planted, when as a matter of fact, it is the only stock that should be planted early.
 c. Do dou think it Is safe to put out sweet potato plants now. and would it be more profitable to buy seed, bed out and produce our own plants? This is question that we feel much interested in. D. S., Oak man, Ala
 A. Sweet potato plants are being offered for immediate delivery, but we feel sure that it is entirely too 1 early to set out, and while the plants are cheap the seed themselves are very cheap and may be produced | much cheaper than you can buy plants. We urge anyone who is so- ing to plant any considerable sweet potatoes that they grow their own plants; and there is yet >leanty of time for bedding the stock to pro- duce such plants.
 e. Can you explain to our union the difference between arsenate or l lead and calcium arsenate? We see both of these materials recommended as insecticides, but we are unable to 1 figure out just which one is the most economical. Any information on thls subject will be highly appreciated. $. O., Fayette. Ala.
 A. 1t would require too long an article for these columns to explain the difference between arsenate 'ol lead and arsenate of calcium, but we might say that there is no essentlal | difference in the cost and efficiency of the two materials. One may pc substituted for the other without any detriment to any formula carrying | arsenate Information needed requires | too long an answer for these col umns. and a special letter Will Dc written you on the subject.
 | Q w nat IS QuiNh Q " W ii'S l to cover an unsightly fence or al outhouse? Mrs. T.
 A. Velvet bean is probably the most suitable plant The seed are | cheap. the growth rapid, foliage anu bloom splendid and is after all tne | most satisfactory vine anyone couio use.
 O If I buy zinnias of the large l flowered tyne, what colors may l | expect to get? Mrs J. P. T.
 A. There is no way to tell, all depends on who you get the seed from. As matter or Iac', I1ere should be crimson. golden, yellow. burnt orange, various pink shades, purple shades. scarlet, etc. You l can always get mixed of these | which are generally more satisfac- tory for the small buyer. You can 0. In the cypress vine, I would i like to have the white and scarlet. Can these colors be bought separate and l do my own mixing. l want to carry out a certain color scheme at | different locations? Mrs. s.
 A. You can buy separate colors in l bulk if necessary and do your own blending.
 Q. What about ragged robin? Do we grow from seed or must we have l plant? F. H., Florence. Ala.
 A. Ragged robin is generally some, type of centaurea, either cy- ranus or imperallis, both Of which l are splendid annuals. easily grown from seed and come in singles and doubles and various colors
 a. I am fond of marigolds. Which varieties do you consider best Tor this climate? R. J.. Carbonhill, Ala A There are a number of sorts. but I think the tall African and the dwarf French are best. It is really necessary to know what is desired in order to be able to say for sure.
 be before you stick them? S. M., Cadsden. Ala.
 A They ought to be stuck promptly. Supports should be pro vided by the time they are six inches high If allowed to go too long, they become tangled up and are then hard to train.
 e. Does the addition of arsenate of lead to the limesulphur spray in- iure the efficiency of the spray, and what amount of the arsenic should be used, say to 5o-gallon barrel?
 A. Arsenate of lead may cause a change in the color of the limesul- phur, especially the self boiled pro duct, but it does not injure the eff ficiency of the spray. About two pounds of arsenate of lead is gem orally used to the 50-gallon mixture. | e. Is nicotine that we read so much about a liquid, solid or a dust? We see it recommended everywhere as an insect destroyer? Win powd- cred tobacco do as well? N. A. La l Fayette. Ala.
 A. Nictoine is simply the active principal of tobacco. The commer- cial product is in the form of a T 1 liQuid. known as nicotine sulphate, a concentrated tobacco extract, con- taining 40 per cent of nicotine. Pure nicotine would be too expensive and impractical to use. Mere powdered tobacco or snuff, will not take the place of nicotine, although they do possess qualities as insectides. There are various preparations on the mar ket containing tobacco extract in some form.
 O. We are sending The Age Herald three different samples of soil that we ask an analysis on in order to determine the soil deficiency so that we may know how to econo- micaHy fertilize such lands. Some cotton. Let us have the information at the earliest possible moment.- ! Farmers, Montevallo, Ala.
 A. Such information is outside of the free service offered by The Age Herald. The writer has no objec- tion to expressing an opinion based on a superficial examination of any soil and will make reports on acidity and alkalinity of any soil samples submitted and offer recommenda- tons from general observations, but if quantitative and qualitative an alysis is demanded. then special ar arrangements will have to be made. See special letter.
 .. What about Johnson grass seed