The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-17

one is easily led to believe that it does not pay. There are many factors that enter into whether it pays or not. If one is short of feed and has the labor that cannot be more prOfitably em- ployed then corn fodder should not go to waste. The pulling off of the blades does in most cases reduce the yield of grain, but this depends on uniform ma turity, as we'll as weather conditions that follow. Whether it pays to pull fodder or not must rest with the indi- vidual whose conditions and necessity is the answer.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 o. In roofing geraniums is it neces sary to keep the cuttings shaded until the roots are made and how old should the cuttings be before set in permanent pots? Mrs. T. T.. Fairfield, Ala.
 A. There are various methods of roofing geraniuIns and wlfen done where the soil or sand is kept very wet but little if any protection is need ed from sunlight, except when it is very hot. When rooted in damp sand. only, it's best to protect from direct sam light. The age of the cutting when set out depends on progress made in roofing. The roots should be about half an inch long.
 0. How soon can you plant crim- son clover and how deep should it be covered? l.. N., Fayette, Ala.
 A. Crimson clover is often planted in August when sown in some growing crop, such as cotton or corn, to afford some shade for while until the plants get a start. The seed need only to be covered lightly, the harrow or rake do. ing the work. Where sown alone and open to the hot sun, much of it would perish planted in August.
 0. want to move some palms to my home that are growing wild in the swamps on the Mississippi coast. What time of the year could this be done with the greatest safety? Mrs. D, Tuscumbia, Ala.
 A. Cool weather is needed. The best time would be during the winter months or very early in spring.
 0. notice in canning receipts, the terms scalding and blanching and I am often confused about the different mean ing. Can you explain? Mrs. J., Jas per, Ala.
 A. Scalding generally implies merely dipping into boiling water, while the term blanching means the allowing of the fruit to remain in the hot water for longer period.
 0. In drying fruit does it injure the product to dust 1t with surphur to prevent mold or decay? Mrs. S., Rus. selIville, Ala.
 A. Sulphur is not a poison and the use of a small quantity is no serious objection. It may impart an odor and taste, objectiOnal to some, but where dried fruit is washed or cooked before consumption much of the effect of the sulphur is removed.
 .. When do you plant the old-fash- toned garden herbs used for flavoring ? Miss D., Guntersville.
 A. Some or many splendid pot herbs are annuals and may be grown like common vegetables. Those that grow out from the roots year after year or perennials may be planted in the fall or very early spring. Among the best known of these are GETAWAY. catnin. sweet fennel, rosemary, winter savory, thyme and sage. The latter can be also grown as an annual.
 Q. am told that one must plant pansies in August to produce the best flowers. Would it be necessary to shade the beds from the sun until the plants get a start? Mrs. B., Alex ander City, Ala. , A. To produce pansies early the seed may be sown in August, but 1t is best to make two or three plantings at 3O- day intervals. Early planting when made in very hot weather should be protected from direct sun during the hottest period of the day. After the plants become well established they are perfectly hardy and resistant to both heat and cold.
 o. When is the LeCont pear sup posed to get ripe? H. s., Calera, Ala.
 A. LeCont pears are beginning to turn now and will be ripening all dur ing August. They require some time to ripen on the tree but when gathered, when still hard, will soon mellow up.
 0. My oceans are only bearing a few nuts and many of these are now falling off. What is the. cause of this and can something be done-to put a stop to it2 D. F., GreenVille, Ala.
 A. Shedding of oceans at this time is often due to hot dry weather and lack of cultivation. Insects or some fungus disease may be responsible. A thorough spraying with 1imesulphur will destroy most diseases that cause dropping. Arsenate of lead might be added to the spray to destroy leaf eat ing insects.
 Q. Is there any practical way to keep the weevils out of cowpeas that one gathers this month? ". w., Gads- den, Ala.
 A. The best plan is to store the freshly picked peas in a cool place and let them remain in the hull to be threshed out later SIS needed. See let ter about fumigating.
 QuestiOns and Answer.
 c. In canning or preserving pears, how much sugar do you have to use? Mrs. D. Opelika, Ala.
 A. The method put into practice has much to do with it. The general di- rections call for equal parts by weight of both sugar and water to produce the syrup into which fruit is packed after being prepared.
 CD. When corn is in the hard roast ing ear state is badly blown down by the wind, what method of saving would you advise? P. K. Albertyille, Ala.
 A. A good plan would be to cut off the entire stalk and store in loca- tion where the entire plant including the ear would dry thoroughly. Avoid piling so the product would not heat in curing. The feed would be excellent. See letter.
 Q. At what period of growth is the proper time to cut pea vines for hay? G. Leeds, Ala.
 A. The quality of hay will be bet ter if plants are allowed to set more or less fruit. The correct time depends much on growth and weather conditions. If the plants begin to shed badly from dry weather, cutting is often desirable before any peas are matured. 4 time