The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-05
NOW IS TIME TO PREPARE $.
 PASTURES FOR WINTER USE.
McVay Replies To Many Requests For lnstrcuions On
 Getting Land Ready For Cows-Boring Pests Are Also
 Among Farm And Garden Problems At This Season.

the tops grow fine, but roots appear. only occasionally. A. F., TuscumbiaF Ala.
 A. This trouble can be due to sew eral things, such as poor seed, soil too rich in nitrogen, deficient in phosphates and potash, but the chief cause is generally too thick planting
 Q. Is it too late to plant rutabagas for a commercial crop? T. F., R. F. D., Bessemer.
 A. It is getting rather late, yet they will make providing the soil is rich, well prepared and thorough cul- tivatior is given.
 Q. have been successful In kill ing lice on vegetables with nicotine sulphate and would like to know if the same remedy would kill lice on. my hogs? D. G., Heflin, Ala.
 A. It certainly would, and l think the same strength would be suffi- cient Remember it's poison, .-
 Q. Is black medic different from burr clover or what is called spotted medic? ". H., York, Ala.
 A. The plants belong to the same family, but are different species of medic and both plants and seed are different. They are valuable plants for winter and early spring grazing.
 c. Would spinach go to seed be- fore winter If planted now? D. S., Leeds, Ala.
 A. Spinach planted now, while :
  go to seed before next spring.
 Q. Do tomatoes planted now blight or die out as bad as those set out in spring? Mrs. J., R. r. D., East Lake, Ala.
 A. No, they do not but If your soil is infested with the root borers that mostly cause wilt or root knot, it would be safer not to prune or tia up vines, but let them grow wild, fall down and make all the root pos- sible.
 Q. When is the proper time to plant melilotus for bees? H. NJ, Blocton, Ala.
 A. This plant is now beginning to bloom and will be available as bee ! pasture for some time. The seed for . the production of bloom another year may be planted any time from now on until very early next spring. It 4 is a good plan to SOW mililotus in the fall with oats. grasses or other grain and by the time the grain ma lures In spring the mililotus will have become established.
 c. Do you recommend formula for fertilizing flowers that contains as much as Il per cent of nitrogen2 l see such 8 formula advertised. Mrs, $. L., Huntsville, Ala.
 A. Such a formula would do under certain conditions, but most any flower fertilizer should also contain phosphates and potash. The charac-eF ter of the plant and soil would have much to do with any sane recom- mendations.
 c. l am sending you a sample off ere of my evergreens that Is covered with 8 white insect that looks like wool. They don't seem to eat the leaves, but the plant looks sick. ?; Could you tell me what to do? Mrs. K, Florence, Ala.
 A. The trouble with specimen subs mitted is known as Woolly Aphis, q very pernicious pest, common to many evergreens and difficult to- control. Kerosene oil emulsion and certain other contact prepared sprays are recommended. See special in structions mailed.
 Q. Could we plant velvet beans now and expect them to make seed before frost? T. F., Vincent, Ala.
 A. There is much doubt about any variety of velvet bean maturing planted this late, but even though they did not make seed the plants would make a splendid growth and afford considerable hay or forage. i Q. We have a lot of popcorn in- fested with weevil Could this be used as poultry feed without any danger to birds? T. H.. Sylacaugat Ala.
 A. Popcorn is a splendid feed for poultry and the presence of weevH would not likely hurt the old birds. It would be best, however, to fumi-s gate the seed with carbon bisulphide to destroy the vermin before feeding. See letter.
 Q. have on hand a QuSntity of either arsenate of lead or calcium arsenate, bought over year ago. Can you tell me if this material IS still good or not? s. T., Cordova, Ala.
 A. Neither calcium arsen&te or ar- senate of lead loses it's strength with age, render ordinary care, so We would consider the material just as effective now as when you first
 @. We have threshed a. .~. or cowpeas and we notice the weevil present. Would you advise us to spread the peas in the hot sun to get rid of these weevils? J. M, Cullman, Ala.
 A. I would not. The black weevils already matched out would prob ably leave the peas but the hot sun would likely hatch out new brood from dormant eggs in the seen and thus create more damage than good. The thing to do is to fumigate tho peas with bisulphide of carbon and then store in as cool place as pos sible. See special instructions mailed.
 e. In feeding charcoal to chickens what kind Is meant and how do you feed it? Mrs R. S., Decatur, Ala.
  chickens is simply ordinary wood charcoal, ground to a certain granu- lar consistency where they can con- sume it. They will eat, if placed where they can reach.
 c. Which is the best winter onion to plant for home use? w. Talla- dega, Ala.
 A. This would depend on what is expected in the resulting crop. There are various types of shallots, ScuI- ] lions, potato onions and different multipliers all serving good pur- pose. but regular onion sets that | produce the large onions will be | shortly available and are after all the most satisfactory. l Q. l have a number of ferns some large, some small. I want to di- vide the large ones and double up on some of the small ones so as to avoid too many pots, Is this the proper time to do this? Mrs. B., R. F. D. No. l.
 A. It is practicable to repot or di- vide ferns at any time but an active growing period. such as exists at present, is an opportune time. Good soil and careful repotting is the main factor towards success. Don't keep the plants soaked with water c. Is it time to plant pansies in beds for early blooms? T. L., Fair field, Ala.
 A. It is rather early. The time when you want them to come td bloom is the main factor. August and September plantings are gener- ally in bloom by January or Febru- ary, much of course, depending on the winter.
 c. Can we produce Brussels sprouts for late fall and winter use by planting the seed now? Our, spring seeding failed to make heads. Mrs. R., Gadsden, Ala.
 A. Brussels sprouts, like collards, cabbage and lettuce are primarily Ia ,,l, pl, ],