The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-30
PROPER FOOD MAIN FACTOR
 INV GROWING PLANTS JUST
 .AS IN GROWING CHILDREN
McVay Tells How Necessary It Is To Provide Wholesome Living Conditions And Food In Garden and Field And Says Failure To Do This Is Cause Of Most Failures

islature adds to the agony. No won- der the people assume an air of con- tempt for many just and good laws. As a matter of fact, the great ma iorty of people could get along without any laws because they want to do right and are imbued with the general conception of the golden rule. Why don't our legislatures pass some laws on the economical control of | insects and disease affecting plants Other states have done so. with great benefit to it's. citizens. There is too much politics in Alabama, and it would seem that we are more intent on making money out of convicts than we are in constructive meas ures.
 Q. Why cant we grow peonies 'ip Birmingham? We had them in Michi+ gan that grew like weeds but witb all the money we have spent since coming south, we have not grown $ bloom. Mrs. C. Fairfield.
 A. Naturally, peonies do not gen. erally do well planted this far south and we do not recommend their gem eral use. There are, however, some sorts that do fairly well in this eli mate, but the list is very limited. Tn Iswhites, the festiva maxima is one Of the surest, in light pinks, Margaret l Gerard is good, in dark pinks, Edulis Superba is very good, in reds. Fix Grouse is splendid There mighl be other sorts just as good but most of the fancy sorts listed rarely ever bloom in this climate.
 Q. What is best to fertilize a lawn that is heavily shaded where Bcrt muda grass will not grow? Mrs. N. 1 Sheffield, Ala.
 4. It would @erhaps be best to use well rooted animal manure, but the addition of any complete commercial fertilizer would greatly help. Work up the soil as well as you can to ins corporate the manure.
 Q. Should we plant payer white l Narcissus now. When could we eX- pect them to come into bloom? Mrs H. Bessenler Ala.
 l A. Much would depend on, the method of planting. When grown in water, they naturally bloom much sooner, while in dirt or pots they come somewhat later It generally requires from seven to ten weeks to l bloom. but any method depends on 1 conditions surrounding their growth, O. Which is the earliest the appler 1 or rust~proof oats? We want these l for the production of early spring 1 feed. P. F. Clanton,- Ala.
 A. The apDler is, itself a rust proof ] oat and is generally earlier and more l reliable than the common rust proof. 1 The appler, if planted now, will turf | S tk. if wanted, without injury and then mature fine and much heavier oat i crop in spring than most any other sort. The turf oat is also good but l less prolific than appler.
 e. Can you SOW Johnson grass in i the fall of the year? s-., .>.-.-e 1 of ground that want give Up to this grass as the plot already contains 1 some. H. J. Moundville, Ala
 A. It is permissible to plant John- son grass in the fall and theNbest plan is to sow 1t in connection with oats or some grasses to serve as a nurse crop. The grain will afford some pasture or can be cut for hay by the time the grain Is removed, the Johnson grass will be coming along C. We have good crop of velvet beans but we can never sell the seed l way to utilize them? R. N. Georgi- anna, Ala.
 A. The chief value of velvet beans is as fertilizing or grazing plant. The hay is a valuable feed for ali classes of live stock and if beans are gathered and ground into meal, they produce a feed about as valuable as cotton seed meal.
 Q. When do you commence to sow grass seed for winter lawns? Mrs. G,
 A. It is now getting time. Tho main factor in success. besides good sSeu, IS thorough preparations which should be started right away Q. My Altheas have been blooming l beautifully until now when they seem to be turning yellow. Could anything De done to proleng the bloom? Mrs. s. Fairfield, Ala.
 A. This is doubtful. Working around the plants would help some and 1t may be that the plants are suffering from the want of moistura. 1 The trouble could be disease of in- sects. More information is really needed.
 Q. We want to plant crimson. clover but heretofore we have failed: Could you start us right? L.. At. talla, Ala.
 A. There is so much involved in the culture of this valuable leguminous plant that 1t would oe best to secure government bulletin as the safesv guide. See special letter.
 e, am told that witch will kili out nut grass, in fact, l read gth.s Tn paper, is this a fact and when ao you plant the witch? F. w., Vim. cent, Ala.
 A. vitca will not destroy nut: grass. This theory is based on the. proposition that witch wills shade the nut grass out of existence, which, oe. course, it don't. The sowing of Vitch in October does diminish the nut grass but witch disappears ;ns June or July and unless followed; up, py some other cows crop, such as: cowpeas or velvet beans, to keep the. ground densely shaded, but little, good is do-ee. The truth is, nut grass is hard sut to crack. .. l want to transplant young long leaf pine. When is the best | time to do it? Mrs. B.. s. {. A. I doubt if you can do it. The plant is difficult to transplant. |. would not undertake it before Janu-i ary or February. The main factor is { | careful and thorough excavation8 anIi resetting in carefully prepared situ- |. ation. Q: have been successful in root 1. ing, number of valuable roses, | which are large enough now to set in permanent locations. When would :, you advise as the best time to trans- {, plant? Mrs. R., Florence, Ala. q. 4. Variety would have something, to do with any definite recommefldal : l tions and if property taken m, and reset the work could be done now,s but generally speaking, the matter, mad better be deferred until the dor. ! n.ant period sets in. which is usually in December and January. e. When you put narcissus in. water and rocks to grow for early |; blooming, how long do you keen them in the dark? Mss B.. R. F. D. 3. i
 A. The object of placing in the dark Is to induce bottom or root growth before bringing to the light, roots the bulbs may be brought to: light. {:
 c. Can We buy the seed of black. medic and ho' much should bn sown to the acie. when and how? -. B.. York. Ala. {.