The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-22

AS 8 general proposition, the repeat t- ed cutting of alfalfa Is really to the
 advantage of the plant.
 i Q. We would like to sow crimson
 clover now in corn or cotton If you
 think 1t advisable. You will please
 advise us about how many seed should
 be used to the acre. A. A., Dade- l vile, Ala,
 A. It might be permissible to sow | crimson clover now in corn or cot | ton because the shade afforded would | probably induce germination and { keep the plant alive until 1t could
 sustain itself, But the writer Is of the opinion that the sowine of criISe 30 days, when the new seed will be available and the chances for a stand greatly increased
 Q. We have read something about
 a narcissus, known as the Rising Sun. Can you tell us what this is, and when 1t should be planted? Mrs. U., Decatur. Ala.
 A. This type of narcissus Is very much like the ordinary Chinese Sa- cred lily or Chinese narcissus, and is practically the same as what is ordi- narily called Yellow Paper White. They may be grown in water with pebbles without any soil, will gen. orally bloom in about eight to ten weeks after planting and is really very desirable yellow narcissus. They may also be grown in soil. and, while 1t requires somewhat longer to bloom them in soil, the flower Is really better.
 0. We have T right fine collection Of Darwin tulips that have ceased blooming some time ago, and as we would like to move them for another year, we write to know if these bulbs can be taken up now without Injury to their blooming capacity another year? Mrs. S, Tuscaloosa, Ala A. We can sec no real objection to taking up tulips this time of the year, 1 although 1t is somewhat early. but If taken up they should be dried very carefully in the shade until the tops naturally rot off and then bury the l bulbs in dry sand in some box or Iother receptacle and store away in a dry, cool place until about October i or November, when they may be re- planted.
 what Is called Roman hyacinths and
 what the catalogues call the Dutch
 Roman hyacinths? Mrs. H., Shelf field, Ala.
 A. There Is considerable difference,
 ss the Roman hyacinths are very
 early to bloom, capable of being 1 forced to bloom by Christmas, while
 the Dutch Roman are very much later and do not force very we'll l 0. Could you give us list of pe-
 rennials Towering plants that should
 be planted in the next four to SIX l. weeks. We have formerly bought | plants, but frequently we have been
 unable to secure desira varieties
 A list of such sorts as you think 1 would be desirable to plant will De
 greatly appreciated. Mrs. S.. Gull
 man, Ala.
 A. Hardy perenniais and some bi-
 ennials may be planted now or within
 doxr n6 iG
 tremendous list that 1t would be i'm possible in this short answer to give all desirable varieties, but few arc
 nere mentioned that might serve
 your purpose: Columbines, cofeopsls
 Canterberry bells, carnations, centau-
 req, daisies, hardy pinks. dorget-me nots, fox glove, gaillardia, holly hooks, larkspur, peoples, pyrethr>lm Sweet William, vinca, etc. It shoulC
 be understood, however. that many
 of the above varieties also come In
 annuals, and 1t would not do to plant them at this period of the year. The best thing to do is to study your
 catalogue or get expert advice ano nnd out those varieties that are the
 true perennials.
 0. Can you tell us what causes our
 egg plants to rot, and Is there remedy for this trouble? F. L., Tus'
 cumba, Ala.
 A. The Writer could not answer , question of this character, unless all | of the facts were known. because tht trouble could be attributed to sucf lthings as. crowded condition Of the 1 plant, the contact of the fruit wltf
 the soil, fungus diseases and some 1 insects. As a general proposition, Il might be possible to spray your eg ! plants with some standard fung1clde | hut it would really be necessary tt give us more detailed Information for conclusive answer.
 Q. Since the weather has become very warm large rats are simply tax. ing charge of our place. We would like to know the best thing to do or the best poisdo to use to kill them or drive them away from our prem ises Mrs. L.. Ensley, Ala.
 A. There can be no fixed rule
 about destroying rats, and 1t IS really
 necessary to use various methods, De- cause the rat Is such a smart ani- nal that one poison or contrlvance
 that might be effective one night would not afterwards answer the pur- pose A persistent poisoning of rats
 changing the bait every night Will ultimately get more of them than | any other method. Most any sort ot
 trap will get more or less of them
 and should be used in connection with
 various poison baits. All of the rat
 medicine or poison advertised, or of | fered Tor sale, IS Benerally eliectlNe
 the problem resting altogether with
 its application.
 Q. We have recently secured col lection of fancy gold fish and would like to have some information about | feeding them. What is the best food
 and how much should be given daily to each fish that is apout four inches l long? Mrs. F. C., Albany, Ala. A. It would be impossible to lay
 down any rule to go by In a mat
 ter of this kind, because there are
 various brands of fish food. all good
 and efficient, providing directions are | followed that may be printed on the | package. It is well to observe. how
 ever, that the fancy or gold fish are 1 generally overfed and Is, after all
 the main contributing factor toward.
 their early death. Special informa- tion Is being mailed on the subject | Q. Is it time to plant the old time Seven Top turnip, and when raising them for market, do you think fl more profitable to SOW broadcast than 1 to cultivate in drills? I. D., Gadsden | Ala.
 | A. Seven Top, or so-called White, l turnip, which are primarily sown fo | following winter and spring greens may be sown from any time now on l ls>