The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-25
Study OF Insect Habits
Vital In PIant-G routing
McVay Says National Methods Of Control Am
plyRepay Farmer And Gardner
BY GEORGE B. M'vAY. SIR.

@-eCCCASeAAS
orchardist or any one who attempts to
grow things to know the enemies that
destroy the efforts of his labor and
cause untold disappointment and money
loss. The habits of injurious, insects
to all plants, one undertakes to grow,
should be thoroughly studied and ra-
tional methods Of control exercised.
More thought should be given to the
subject of our public schools so that
our boys and girls would at least have
some elementary knowledge of entomol-
ogy. There is, however, huge sup
ply of printed matter on the subject
freely and quickly available from all
state experiment stations as well as the
national agricultural department.
Growers have themselves to blame.
But few seem interested enough to an
ply for the bulletins apd when read.
will often not follow the advice given,
Few realize how readily farmers ac-
cept contract to grow certain stuff. on
contract for some enterprise and get
badly stung in the resulting crop be-
cause he did not happen to know the
enemies to- combat in production. Rem
edies to combat insects are not expen-
slve and there is little danger of be-
ing swindled because the manufacture
and sale of all insecticides is directly
controlled by the national government.
Cost Of Production
Money can be made out of most any
commodity if one is able to produce
cheaply and sell the entire product at
a net profit. The cost of production is
difficult to control in most lines Of en-
deavOr, such as manufacturing. In
business enterprises the volume Of bus
mess must be such that the cost of pro-
ducing a net dollar be held down to
the limit. The manufacturing enter
prise must have orders and run on full
time to succeed. The farmer has his
problems in cost of production without
showing just what he is going to get
for his product, still he must 90 ahead
blindly and produce, whether his years
work shows profit or loss. He is,
after all, the greatest gambler engaged
in any constructive endeavor. 1t is ms
own opinion that the farmer takes too
many chances in his effort at quantity
production. In short, he plants in most
cases entirely too many acres. The
practice Of over-cropping tenants and
undertaking too much on his own ac-
count always adds greatly to cost of
production. The farmer is not pes
simist, as many believe. On the con-
trary he is firm believer that the land
is the foundation of all wealth and he
is right. Less acreage and more in
tensive farming will generally. reduce
the cost of producing farm products.
Reasons For Quick Maturity
Nearly everybody thinks that eli
mate has most to do with quick ma
f,,r An nc al. a
exert an influence, is not the the most
important. There are of courseg many
contributing factors, such as fertility,
method of cultivation, etc., but after
all, the chief factor is the character of
the soil itself. There are some loose,
light, l0amy soils on the southern coast,
very deficient in plant food, which I'M
der proper management will mature
many vegetables from one to four weeks
quicker than the soils of Jefferson coun-
tyy Alabama, planted on the same day.
The physical condition of soil is of the
utmost Importance in the successful
growing of anything. If every one who
plants anything could be made to real
ize the truth of this statement, better
preparations in the way of land tillage
would result. Late soils can be made
to produce much quicker if labor is ex-
pended to thoroughly prepare before
planting. Many gardeners, near Biz
mingham, complain that they cannot
compete with the shipped stuff from
further SOUTH There is of course some
ground for such complaint but much
of the difference could be overcome by
paying more attention and spending
more time in putting the soil in such
physical condition that would enable
their paintings to mature much quicker.
Questions And Answers
Q. My zinnias have been growing
nicely until recently but are beginning
now to turn yellow. What causes this
and may something be done to help
them? Mrs. L., Eufaula, Ala.
A. Various things could be the cause
such as lack of cultivation, too thick,
too rich or poor soil, shade, etc. 1t
could be mildew or rust and a light
busting of common sulphur would help
in such cases.
Q. What causes my squash, now be-
ginning to bear, to decay at the ends
when very young and is there rem
edyy s. s., Montgomery, Ala.
A. This is common occurrence with
nearly all squash when they begin to
bear and is often caused by dense
growth, shade, excess foliage and the
crowding of plants. 1t is doubtful
whether disease and, generally passes
after short period
Q. How long does it take radishes,
mustard and turnips to become large
enough to sell after planting the seed?
o. L., r. +. D., Bessemer, Ala.
A. Much depends ON the time of year
planted, soil conditions and variety l
have seen turnips planted in April pro-
duce marketable roots in 80 days. Mus
tard as quickly and some varieties of
radish in IS days. All three are very
quick to produce under the most favor
able conditions but don't last long,
@. About two years ago planted
what was supposed to be carpet grass
but l am told now that what / have is
paspalunl, rather coarse, turfy grass,
but the stock are very fond Of it. Is
there difference in the two? Il. H.,
Camden. Ala.
A. Paspalum, of which there are
several varieties, is known locally in
some sections as carpet grass, but it is
entirely different from the true carpet
grass. See United States government
bulletin.
Q. A man who works on front yards
tells me that lawns should not be fer
tilted after II gets hot as any fer
tilizer will burn up the grass. want
to fertilize, as the gty $50 needs it,
What do you say? Mrs. B.
A. / would not hesitate to- fertilize
any active growing plants when it need
ed it. Plants, like animals and hui
mans, need to be fed when hungry.
Q. want to plant soy beans but am
undecided as to variety. What about
the Laredo, Biloxi and Otooton? G.. p,
Clanton, Ala.
A. The soy beans are all good and
some do possess advantages over others
but when one is not familiar with the
different sorts it is best to stick to
the old well known Southern Mammoth
~ N - = !. =.