The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-12-21


that has just been transplanted has
to serious surgical operation on
/ the danger has passed.
how far should they be set from the
base wall or foundation? D. H., Wood
ward, Ala.
A. Much would depend on the plant
used but as a general rule the plant
should be set out far enough in order
that it may receive the benefit of the
natural rainfall. The caves of the
house and other obstructive factors
would be safe guide in determining
the correct distance.
Q. Is there a table published or any
general rule to 60 by as to the proper
distance to set out shrubs and the peren-
NAL Towering plants? Mrs. A. T.,
Florence, Ala.
A. There is no fixed rule but knowl-
edge of the extent of the normal or max
imum growth is important to give the
plants sufficient space to fill out. Most
shrubs require three years for full
growth and perennials two years. Most
plants are always set too THICK.
Q, Would it be advisable to mulch
my hyacinths and narcissus beds now
in order to produce better blooms in
early spring? Mrs. r. O., Gadsden,
Alabama.
A. A mulch would help but it should
not be heavy or contain fresh manure.
Another mulching may be needed later
on to hold back the blooming period
until heavy freezes have passed.
Q. have bought fine lot of grated
roses and desire to know how deep in
the ground they should be set! Miss
E., Leeds, Ala.
A. On grated roses you will notice
little knot or. hump just above the
roots showing where the graft was made.
This knot should go about an inch I'M
der the soil surface and should any
sprouts come out below this graft they
should be promptly removed.
q. l am preparing to sow oats right
after Christmas and would like to SOW
Canada field peas with them. 90 you
advise it and is there danger of the peas
getting killed? w. A., Kellyton, Ala.
A. Canada field peas are just as
hardy as oats and don't believe there
is any great danger of being killed ex-
cept by unusual cold weather in Feb
ruary or March. The combination is a
good one particularly when considered
from a desirable hay crop. The peas
will put nitrogen in the soil and pre-
vent any exhaustion through the growth
of oats.
@. l wanted to plant some nuts of
seeding pecans to grow on for grating
and write to know when these should
be planted and if any treatment of the
seed are given before planting? r. A,
Montevalloo, Ala.
A. The nuts of pecans may be planted
any time from now on to February. If
planted now no treatment is generally
given the seed but in late winter plant
ing the see dare often soaked in water
a few days or until they sink. Faulty
ones may also be detected in this way.
Some practice the filing of small hole
in the nut to let in water and hasten
termination.
Q. Is there DANCE rof setting out
peach trees in holes that are partly full
of water from rains? e. A., Alfalfa,
Alabama.
A. 1t is bad practice to set out any
tree in a hole of water. Better heel
the trees in or otherwise conserve until
the water has disappeared from the
holes.
Q. Is December good time to mulch
lawn for the best results? NJ. A,
Albany, Ala.
A. The mulching of lawn at any
time is of doubtful value and often Sc
riously injurious. A light mulch of any
animal fertilizer is permissible if very
old and known to be free of weeds and
grasses but many lawns are ruined
through the introduction of grasses and
weeds that cannot be gotten rid of. Its
safer to top dress with cotton seed
meal or some complete commercial fer
tilizer.
Q. would like to plant the seed of
Bermuda and carpet grass now but
am told if l do the cold will kill and
that l had better wait until spring. Is
this a fact? L. H., Hartselle, Ala.
A. 1t is all right to plant both of
the grasses now. OF course the cold
would kill if the seed should terminate
before warm weather, but both grasses
being natural ones, they are not going
to come up until danger from cold has
passed.
Q. 1 am interested in knowing wheth-
er it is desirable or injurious to remove
dead or shedding bark from trees that
naturally shed their bark. Some say
yes, while others have a positive no?
o. E., Laurel, Miss.
A. There can be no danger in remov-
ing dead or shedding bark and it's often
desirable to do SO, especially when the
loose bark is harboring insects. Care
must be exercised, however, in using
methods that will not scratch or in
jure live bark.
Q. When is the best time to white
wash trees and does the treatment keep
off insects? Mrs. r.. Troy, Ala.
A. Whitewash may be applied any
time during inactive growth but it's very