The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-22

c. We would like to get a stock of the geraniums of the Martha Wash ington type. Can we do this from seed or must we have plants? Mrs. L. C., Tuscaloosa. Ala.
 A. Pelargoniums, or the Martha Washington type of geranium Is best started from plants, because the seed are difficult and only an experienced Eopist should undertake seed. Plants are available and they may be bought while in bloom so that one can know what type or variety they are pur- chasing.
 .. When should chrysanthemum plants be put out? l want to try and grow some large ones to como into bloom next fall, and expect to put out the plants whenever you say. $. C., Athens. Ala.
 A. In your section, about May l would be early enough to put out ehrysanthemum plants in the open, even somewhat later might an swer. Varieties, method of culture and other questions in your letter could not be handled through these columns, but special letter will be written you on the subject.
 .. How much Johnson grass should be planted to the acre, and when do you consider the most appropriate time to plant the seed? W. O.. Al toona, Ala
 A. The quantity of Johnson grass necessary for seeding an acre would the seed, but generally speaking, from 25 to 40 pounds of recleaned seed would answer the purpose.
 Q. How much Bermuda grass would you SOW on a place about 50 feet front and 70' feet deep? The location is fairly covered with grass already, yet we want to establish more perma- V RarTp11dp lo
 A. Bermuda gass is not expensive at the present, and It may be advis- able to use one pound of seed to every 400 square feet Less would prob ably answer, but we recommend heavy seeding in all grass seed plant ings in order to give satisfactory re- suits.
 Q. There is plant known as kochia that grows into hedge, It IS Known some time as summer cy- press. Can we grow this from seed planted now or would 1t be necessary to secure plants? G. O.. Piedmond, Ala.
 A. Kochia is easily grown from seed and there is really no necessity for buying plants. It does not re- quire any special treatment or any very fertile soil; in short, most any location that will grow shrubs or plants will answer for the situation.
 
 plant for roasting ears? Mrs. L., Al bany, Ala.
 A. This would depend on what is really desired. You may have in mind some sugar corn, which, of course, Is the very best quality of any sweet corn, and the best varieties of this type are either Golden Bantam, Coun- try Gentleman or StowelIs Ever green. Either of these sorts is very desirable, and from a standpoint of quantity they are the very best varie- ties that could be planted.
 Q. Do you think 1t too late to set out apple trees? We want to put out layed on account of weather condi- tons, and are writing to know if it would be permissible to set out now.
 A. The matter would depend on the condition of the stock to be reset If the plants have been up. thoroughly dormant, 1t would be permissible to set them. But If the growth hia ad vanced 1t would probably be too late for any success. There are so many factors that enter into successful growth of apples that more informa- tion is really needed.
 q. What about this ant killer that is being put out In Birmingham? We have ants ourselves, but don't know whether they are the Argentine ant or not. But we are certainly bothered with them and would like to know what to do to rid our premises of them.
 A. It would doubtless be best to take the matter up with the city and see if your premises are In the in- fested area. and if not, you can rid your premises of this pest through individual purchase. The city has spent considerable money in ridding our city of ants, but there Is need or cooperation from individual proper ty owners in order to make this cam paign success.
 Q. Is it time to SOW Soudan grass and will poultry eat the grass? Q. S.. Florence, Ala.
 A Soudan grass is naturally a hot weather plant, and may be planted aoout the same time that one plants cotton. It may be planted later, be- cause 1t is rapid grower and under ordinary conditions will mature planted even as late as July
 .. Do you think 1t too late now to put out the large sugar cane We mean the stalks and not seed? B. G.. Goodwater, Ala.
 A. We really consider 1t late to piant out the large sugar cane where necessary to plant the stalk. We tnlnk 1t would be better this late to plant some type of sorghum. There Is type of sorghum known as Seed ed Ribbon Cane that We think would better serve your purpose than the planting of the stalk.
 .. We want to plant nasturtiuus but 1t seems that every wear there Is some sort of lice that gets on them and kills them before they ever come into bioom Could you tell us how this trouble could be averted? Mrs B. T., Albany, Ala.
 A. There is a small black louse
  tlums, and if no measures are taken 10 destroy this pest there will be no flowers. The best remedy for this trouble is tobacco in some form. A strong, soapy water with a teaspoon ful of nicotine to the gallon will gen. eraily correct the trouble. A dusting or tobacco dust will generally hold them under control. There are pre- pared preparations on the market that do the work very successfully. one Of which is known as 40" Dust. The man in II factor in the control of this pest IS prompt treatment of the plant.
 e. Please tell me how you get a start In chufas? Do you plant a Seed or root or bulb? c. S. Tlocton, Ala.
 A. Chufas is really nut and VOL plant the nut for reproduction. They are sometimes called grass nuts Ihey are easily grown and in a geu- eral way may be cultivated the same
 SPecldl lH1ormatlon is pelng mailed you on the subject.
 C. Do you think it now safe to set out tomato plants in this locality, and what variety do you consider best? They will be mainly used for home consumption. although We may sell some. S. P. Piper. Ala.
 A. lnasmuch as we had consider able frost at the date this is written we think 1t Is advisable to put off setting out tomato plants until tha last of this month. The variety doesn,t make so much difference, but pants that are set out should be outdoor grown, and not the tender small plants generally on sale which come out of green houses and are nracti