The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. How long does 1t take pepper to germinate. B. 2, Roanoke, Ala. tions for germination. Under favor able conditions about two weeks would be required Pepper is slow to germinate and it's doubtful if it pays to force germination by artificial heat.
 Q. Does the Yates apple do we'll in this section, and when should it be planted? c. S., Cullman, Ala. A. The Yates is one of the most re- liable apples that can be planted in | this section. It is all right to put them out now. It is a very hardy resistant to disease than any other | sort.
 Q. How far back do you cut roses | before setting them out? Is there a Ala.
 A. There is no rule to go by. It's best to request the party from whom you buy the plants to cut them ready | to be set gut. The trimmed plant is frequently great disappointment to the planter, but after all its the root system that counts. The top is l merely a burden.
 0. How do you get a start of horse radlsh and when should they be planted? s. S., Tuscaloosa, Ala. l A. It's best to plant the roots. These will give some results the coming spring but the second year will afford the best results.
 Q. Is it too late to plant pansies for spring blooms? Mrs. L. A., Tus- cumbia, Ala.
 A. No. 1t is possible to plant pan sies now in order to succeed. The l seed may be sown in beds after the manner of cabbage and transplant ed in the same way. The main fac tor is to transplant when the plants are hardened and begin to spread.
 e: Is there. such thing as a winter lettuce? We are asked for such plant. T. C., R. F. D. 6.
 number of plants. There are cer- tain types of lettuce that are so hardy that they are ordinarily classed as winter lettuce and again lar to lettuce, that are extremely l hardy, more resistant to cold than lettuce, similar plants and are often called lettuce.
 Q. In growing egg plant for early market, when do you SOW the seed Thorsby, Ala.
 A. It is permissible to COW egg plant now if one has hot bed or 1 properly constructed cold frame to promote germination. The plants should be grown on slowly to pro- mote vigorous growth and the time to set in the open will depend on weather conditions, but danger of severe frost should be over before l plants should be set in open.
 Q. We have demand for law ender sweet pea but we don't seem demand. Can you tell us what we should plant? Mrs. E., Bessemer, | Ala.
 A. There are several true laven- ders in sweet peas, the best of which is probably Felton and Florence l Nightingale. The writer has grown i both of these sorts for shipment to | Chicago and never had a complaint
 e. Is the ragged robin peren- nial or an annual? Mrs. D. R., Flor ence, Ala.
 A. There are several types of flowers. mostly known as centaureas commonly called ragged robin or ragged sailor, most of which are annuals but some are classed as perennials.
 but l made a failure last year due to early planting and the February | freeze. Do you think l can slNceed by planting this late? Mrs l., West End. Ala.
 A. It is really the proper time to rections describe much earlier plant 1 ing but climate and weather con- ditions have much to do with re- suits. More information is really needed for definite conclusions. e. When was the winter lettuce or indive that we now buy on the market planted? T. S.. Tuscaloosa, | Ala.
 A. This depends somewhat on the variety but generally speaking, the seed are sown In the fall about the same time one plants fall turnips. Yes, indive can be served raw like lettuce or it can be cooked like 1 spinach or other greens.
 e. What bulbs can be planted now that will afford spring and summer blooms? Mrs. r. F., Meridian, Miss.
 A Any of the amaryllls mont bretias, spider lilies, caladiums, and, of course any of the cannas would do. See letter.
 Q. I want to try my hand at grow 1 ing sweet corn another year for the Birmingham market and would like to know the best sorts to plant. T. D., Warrior, Ala.
 A. In the experience of the writer, the varieties that do best in Alabama are golden bantam, Stowells evergreen and country gentleman. See special letter about time of planting and cul- tivation.
 c. We want to grow a crop of cu- cumbers for pickling purposes, not big sort, but a medium green. Can you tell us what sort should be used? s. T., Thorsby, Ala.
 A There are several varieties that would be appropriate such for example lamp in brief survey and then asked the members of the committee to