The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-07
fAhM LABOR COST BIGGEST
 FACTOR W MAKING PROFIT

A detail of the proper care of live fish would be too long for these columns.
 o. Is bluegrass the proper thing to plant now for a winter lawn, and is now the proper time to plans W. N., Fairfield, Ala.
 A. We cannot recommend the plant ing of bluegrass In the Birmingham district. There are conditions under which 1t succeeds fairly well, espe- cialIy where there Is considerable shade, but as rule better results are obtained where 1t Is mixed with other grasses to assist in forming 8 sod to prevent burning out in dry periods, In July and August. Grass seed may be planted any time from now until early spring.
 c. Can you tell us the prevailing price for seed wheat in Birmingham as we would like to buy some? H N., Eden, Ala.
 A. The price depends altogether or quality, but good seed may be had at around s2.5o to $2.75 per bushel.
 Q. We have read lot about meli- lotus that grows wild in west Ala bama. It Is highly recommended as hay plant and particularly as soil renovator. Can you tell us where the seed can be had and when and how should it be planted? W. A. Heflin, Ala.
 A. The melilotus growing so widely in west Alabama, and the black belt Is the white blooming sweet clover It's chief function Is to improve the soil, although stock will acquire g taste for 1t in the green state, and where mixed with other grasses, | afford a valuable pasture. It makes good hay when cut before 1t becomes too woody and is more readily eater by livestock after being cured fol hay. The seed Is for sale by most seed houses and 1t Is permissible tc plant In the south any time from now on to spring.
 Q. Dou you recommend that crim- son clover be planted alone or with some other grasses or grain? J. C. Bangor, Ala.
 A. Crimson clover may be planted even this late alone, but it Is prob ably more desirable to SOW in con nection with winter grasses or some of the grains. More information k needed to enable us to be specific.
 o. What is nest onion? I set where they are recommended fol winter use? Mrs S., Ensley, Ala.
 A. The nest onion Is applied tc various types of multiplying onions but most commonly to the white nest onion or white multiplier. All sucf
 
 onions, may now be planted witt safety.
 Q. am late in making a fall gar. den, but have my ground ready now and would like to know what can bt planted? w. O., East Lake, Ala.
 A. You may put out onions. spin. ach, kale, mustard, turnip, lettuce rape and winter radishes. These are all hardy and but little danger ot being killed.
 c. We have somo fine pear and ap. pie trees that bore this year, but now there seems to be something the mat ter with the foliage and the young growth. Would you recommend spraying, and what Is best to use P. s., Gordon City, Ala. A. Spraying Is certainly indicated but in the absence of specimen o1 the infested branches a spray for, mula would be difficult to prescribe See special letter written you on tht subject.
 e. In planting crocus on the lawr l among the grass, how deep should the bulbs bs set? N. O. Decatur, Ala
 A. The bulbs should rest about twt inches under the surface and bt firmly pressed down. They bloom very early and care should be exer, cized in moving to prevent injury after the bulbs are making toI growth.
 Q. What is the best thing to give Canary birds that seem to get colo and become droopy? Miss s. Besse, mer, Ala.
 A. There is tonic generally called bird tonic or bird bitters that gen. orally helps. The main factor Is tc keep the birds out of drafts. Canary birds are subject to the same diseases as children and should be treated ac. 1 cordingly.
 0. I wish to get start of Dallir grass (Pospalum) and where I wan it is already covered with some grass Could we just SOW on top of tht ground and get results? B. W. Plant, ersville. Ala.
 A. You could. This method oi planting Is in general practice witt very good results. As 2 permanen' pasture grass, there are few equals.
 Q. We have a great amount O. hedge that seems to be diseased ant the foliage Is now dropping. Wt wonder If 1t would not be better tC cut this hedge down and let 1t sprou' out from the roots? Your informa. tion will be followed and will ap. preciate full instructions. W. P.
 A. Inasmuch as we don't know what hedge Is involved. we could not be positive, but any of tho privets or euonymus and perhaps some others would be benefited by cutting dowr to within six inches Of the ground It would be desirable to spray after pruning. More information is needed See letter.
 Q. Our althea bushes have bloome et beautifully for some time but they have now grown out of bounds and write to ask you if I may cut then back at this time? Mrs. R. g. Athens Alabama.
 A. Yes, It would be permissible te cut back now without danger tt plant.
 Q. We want several plants of wha is called the red hot poker plant an( understand that we should hay, plants. Can we get plants and wher should they be planted? Mrs. T. A. It would be best to set ou plants and these will be available by December 1. Take up by mail or il person.
 c. We are interested in nursery stock, particularly pears, plums ant peaches and would like to know where we could buy reliable stock
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