The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
By GEORGE B. M'vAY, sR.

The Age-Herald is besieged with questions what to do about the lawn. It Is quite impossible to answer all such questions in detail but few facts are here given that will help some. The chief trouble with most lawns is that they were not properly made in the beginning. You cannot produce a lawn with a negro, fork and half the quantity of seed really needed. Basic preparation Is the main factor Ground for lawn should be prepared as though you were going to sow flower seed or turnips. The ground should not only be broken deeply, but should nave incorporated in the soil a large quan- tity of well routed animal manure, to which should be added liberal ap- plication of complete commercial fer tilizer. An application of woods earth or leaf mold Is of great benefit Seed must be broadcasted thickly, using at least one pound to 15x20- 300 square feet, or no less than one pound to 2Ox20-400 square feet. Winter grasses, such as English and Italian rye, may be sown on Ser muda even without preparations, but better results are obtained if a coat ing of good soil can be applied Every lawn presents it's own prob lem and if our readers will be spe- cific we can help.
 When 10 Fiant bulDs'
 This short article is prompted by many letters to The Age Herald when to plant bulbs, and will serve as an answer to interested parties Southern people are flooded at this time of the year with northern pulb and plant catalogues, urging the planting of all bulbs. These recon mendations may apply to the locality where the catalogue is published put certainly Anot to Birmingham. IL should be understood that the north must get their Towering bulbs in by November otherwise the ground freezes up and they cannot plant while in the south the warm weather holds on so long that if early plant ing is practiced the bulbs come up at once and are often seriously dam aged or destroyed in freezes that generally visit us in January and February With a few exceptions, bnibs should not be planted in the open ground until after the first frost or until the soil becomes cold enough to discourage top growth. These recommendations do not apply to conditions where the bulbs are to be grown in pots or in water for ' house culture Just a little thinkin g or common sense is needed in any Recommendations you might see in print.
 CHre LII
 The demand for goldfish would in dicate that about half the families in Birmingham have an aquarium. This is not so, however. The trouble is that the majority who buy fish lose them in short time through ignor- ance, Indifference or carelessneSs. The chief trouble seems to be over feeding. There are other important factors such as a failure to change the water often enough, handling of the fish by children and the giving of food wholly unsuited. Another i'm portant factor that makes for failure is putting too many fish in a small bowl. In such cases the fish soon consume practically all of the oxygen in the water and thus die for the lack of air.
 I know a lady who has two gold fish that she has had for It years and the reason for 1t is that she has studiously taken care of her pets Goldfish do not breed or multiply in aquariums or small bowls, but If placed in lakes, branches or where running water is plentiful, the in- crease in a single season is enor- nous. Moderate food and good ltv- ing conditions are the factors for success.
 Questions and Answers
 0. A friend sent me a fine large bulb of amaryllis that I want to grow in a flower pot for house cul- ture. Do you think could succeed and what size pot should l have Mrs. B.
 A. Inasmuch as the writer does not know what type of amaryllis is in- dicated it becomes necessary to have further information. The size of the bulb has something to do with it as some varieties in bulbs are very large and require a large pot. All amaryllis can be grown in pots, but the size of the pot should conform to the variety or size of bulb. More information is really needed.
 c. We have a number of wisteria vines that have outgrown their pres ent location and we want to cut them back. When could this be done and how far could they be cut back? N. F., Oxford, Ala.
 sp A. It would be permissible to cut back the wisteria to within six inches of the ground but in most cases, it is only necessary to cut out the old growth. One year old growth is generally what makes the blooms
 c. have had some lovely holly hooks that are about through bloom ing and I write to inquire if these same plants. if let alone, will bloom another year? Mrs. F., Talladega s.Ala.
 A. Hollyhocks will reseed but they are. not perennials. It is neces- sary to' plant every year but they generally result if left to nature and reproduce through this means.
 c. Could I scatter bur clover broadcast over pasture and expect results without any preparations? T C., Lincoln, Ala.
 A. You certainly could Most bul clover is simly sown on the surface of Bermuda or other sod and al lowed to grow naturally. It takes some. time for the bur to rot and thus drop or SOW the seed.
 c. I have a lot of old fashioned garden pinks that are in grea' clumps that seem to need deviding When can this be done? Miss H., R F. D. 3.
 A. This can be done now but il would be better to wait until the last of October to make separations and then transplant the divisions.
 c. Which Is the best winter rad dish to plant now for use during the