The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-08

ABOUT FERNS
At this time of the year nearly
every woman has an impulse to plant
some sort of fern or repot some that
has gone to the bad through i'm
proper care. Some people are prone
to house up their ferns as though
they were delicate children, when,
as a matter of fact, there are much
harder plants than we are
lead to believe. Nearly all ferns need
plenty of air and it does not have to
be hot air either. The main factor
is good soil conditions, plenty of
air, and reasonable amount of
sunshine, proper moisture and cul-
ture. This is a good time to repot
ferns. make divisions and do the
necessary things that make for sue
cess. Fresh manure must not be
used on ferns. but fertilizers are
necessary. Good leafmold or woods
earth is best, but this may be rein
forced by liberal amount OF well
rotted COW manure or even sheep
manure. The best ferns to use de-
ponds on what is desired The
Sprengerii or some type of Bostons
are best. The variety depending on
the purpose to be served. In hanging
baskets, the Sprengerif, OF the droop-
3ng nature is the most satisfactory,
while in window boxes, the Boston
type is generally more appropriate.
Ferns can be used in various ways
Ind any study of them should lead
10 the correct conclusions.
TRAGEDY OF IGNORANCE
There is an amazing ignorance in
keneral about planting seed and the
directions to be found in catalogs is
10 confusing that no one can de-
ormine what to do. Common sense
needed In any planting operations.
we are asked every day: how deep
% plant carrots, psrsnips, radish and
Various other seed correct an
bwer to seed questions would depend
bn character of soil and the time the
Eoeed were to be planted. II our
Readers would be more specific we
NeCuld be more positive in our replies
Enquiries come in every day wanting
be know about Argentine ant de-
ktroyer. The city of Birmingham Is
putting on a campaign to destroy
Ehese ants. The product being used
manufactured IN Birmingham and
VI known as Kiln This prepare
8ton is made according to govern
nent recommendations, is depend
bie. and may be depended upon.
mChe main factor in killing ants is the
Observance of the government for
hula and tho directions that each
package carries. The truth about the
matter is, that complete instructions
~ necessary and these can only be
4ven when full information is at
hand.
eat this time of the year nearly
Very woman has an impulse to plant
Nome sort of fern repOt some that
Has gone to the bad through i'm
Nroper care. Some people are prone
10 house mp their ferns as thong h
.kAey were delicate children, when as
matter of fact. there. are much
more harder plants than we are lead
to believe. Nearly all ferns need
plenty of air and it does not have to
be hot mir either. The main factor
u good soil conditions, plenty of air
and a reasonable amount of sunshine,
proper moisture and culture. This
In N good time to repot ferns. make
divissfons. and do. the necessary
things that make for success. Fresh
SOME DAHLIAS
AS dahlias are now beginning to be
planted many inquiries are reaching
The Age-Herald to know what varie-
ties should be planted. There is such
an enormous list of varieties and
types that the matter becomes very
confusing to the average buyer. Va
rieties have been multiplied TO such
an extent that one hardly knows
what to choose. Most of the inqui-
ries seem to have to do with reds and
the red shades are the most important
to be considered. Some good reds may
here be mentioned. Red Duke Is real
ly a compound variety Of the cactus
dahlia. the petals being splendidly
quilted and the color a brilliant shade
of red The variety known as Cuban
giant is n large lowered type of dec
orative red and standard sort for
cut flowers. Lyndhurst is a decora-
tive type OF bright red and an old
standard long stem type. Minnie
Hyr e1a tc
tive type of a beautiful cardinal red.
There is Floradora of the single or
cactus type that is a peculiar shade
Of red, usually designated as garnet
and is something real handsome. A
famous variety known as Burbank, Of
the quilted or cactus type is a bril-
liant cardinal red. Other colors or
varieties will be dealt with from time
20 time and The Age Herald viii I'M
dertake to give such Information as
may be needed for any planter to
Dome to a conclusion.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. What variety of the asparagus
plant do you consider the most desir-
able for this section? r. A, Annis-
ton. Ala.
A. There is but little difference in
che vegetable asparagus, all sorts be-
1ng suitable and desirable. 1t Is not
TOO late to put the roots out. as one
cannot expect any results before the
pecond year. 1t would be all right to
put the roots out any time in this
month or In April. and one could ex-
pect asypara gus the following year.
Q. What vegetables do you consid-
pr safe to plant this month? S. N, r.
y. ID. 7.
A. All varieties of English peas
may still be planted and the time
has arrived when beans of various
Kinds may be put in. Squashes, Gu
numbers. okra, melons, and corn may
be planted with reasonable assur-
Ance of safety. In fact there are but