The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-31

this Miss s., Albany, Ala.
 A. Evidently your own faslt in not specifying specific white sorts in your order. Water lilies, in common with many other flowers, come in various cclors.
 Q. I notice grass in my fields that creeps over the ground and looks ex- actly like Bermuda grass, which I cer- tainly don't want. am mailing tou sample and would like to know what it is?-M. L., Fort Deposit, Ala.
 A. The grass you sent is carpet grass, an exceptionally fine grazing plant. The stems are of much softer texture than Bermuda and it will thrive CT. thin sandy land where Bermuda makes a verX indifferent growth. 0. The fire bugs are running all the collards in my section. Can anything be done?-H. T., Dadeville, Ala
 A. Hand picking is about tht only safe remedy. Nothing is effective against this sucking pest except such c,Itact poisons aa tobacco aud kero- sent oil emulsion
 O. Can you explain to me why sev- eral of my white varieties of flowers are winter at times then otherwise, and l is there any way to make them come pure white at all times? Mrs. T., Mont gomery, Ala. A.. The color of all flowers is influ- e4ced by blending of pigments and may be influenced by soil and climatic conditions. Shades of white are brought about by conflict of real color fig ments, the result being white which after all is no color at all.
 o. In renewing hanging baskets at | this time of the year what plants do you consider the most desirable to use Miss F., Sheffield, Ala. t<&
 A. This is largely a matter of indi- vidual taste. Plants that possess the habit of compact growth and such as are trailing in habit are always desir- able. Dracenas and pandanus are fine l for the center; various coleus are al- ways desirable; dusty miller, lObelia, geranoums and various ferns serve a good purpose,
 0. Ny chickens seem to have the roup, Is this possible during the hot weather, and could it be something else ? Mrs. B., Warrior, Ala.
 A. Roup is merely q bad cold which may be contracted at any time by chick ems or people. It's contagious and should be doctored promptly, Plenty of prepared remedies are available and all good.
 o. In picking compeas the past week I I notice many weevils. Could these weevils be or should they be killed now before storing in the hull? Send us the best method. R. s. Wetumpka, Alabama.
 A. See special letter on fumigation l In most all cowpeas that ripen early and during the hottest weather will generally contain more or less live I weevils. These do little harm to the stored grain. It's the eggs that hatch out the following spring and summer that is so destructive. Fumigation is the remedy, but storage in a cool place is of great help.
 0. We are bothered with a very large black, yellow and spotted grasshopper that don't fly, but they seem to damage many sorts of plants. Is there any practical remedy? s. s., Atmore, Ala
 A. The grasshopper referred to does l damage cowpeas, butter beans, various other vegetables, as well sas late corn They are not usually numerous enough to- justify the expense of spraying. See letter.
 Q. Your instructions to spray with Flime sulphur is working fine, but could we mix soap with it and make it stick better?. I. T., Anniston, Ala.
 A. Soap cannot be used as incom- patible with lime sulphur. You could use a little rosin about a pound to 25 gallons of the mixture. Dissolve in hot water and then add.
 Q. Is it a fact that oceans are a sure crop when properly sprayed and otherwise taken care of? B. B., Flu taw, Ala
 A. Certainly not. For yariOus req sons pecans do not hit#every year. About every other year is the best they do. Of course spraying, fertilizing and cultivation are big factors in produc- tion. There should be no total failure under proper methods of management.
 Q. On fishing trip very recently I noticed a number of plants along the banks of a southern lake that appeared to be hibiscus and were in profuse bloom. Some colors I never saw be- fore and was wondering if should take up some of these plants, would they succeed in my home town? N. A., Florence.
 A. They certainly would and if prop erly cultivated would surpass in beauty the plants growing in the wild state. Fall or winter would be the proper time to remove.
 o. In using permanganate of potash to remove stains from white goods, how strong do you make it? Miss N, Huntsville, Ala.
 A. A teaspOonful of the powder or crystals to a pint of water is suffi- cient. To remove the stain of the pot ash apply n little peroxide or vinegar or oxalic acid.
 Q. have some young nut trees that have suffered severely from the drouth. and I think need pruning. Would it be safe to do it now? A. N, Troy, Ala.
 A. Any branches that arc already dead or dying may and should be re- moved but branches that carry live foliage had better be left until dor mapt or just before,
 c. am told that you can dry Okra like apples and peaches in the sun and have it all winter for soups. Is this true and how do you do it? Mrs. F., Ensley, Ala.
 A. Okra is easily dried like fruit and keeps well. Select only the young and tender pods and cut up in little round thin rings, spread in the hot sun for three or four days until it becomes bone dry, then store in paper bags or fruit jars, Should any mold appear in damp weather, dry it in the oven or sprinkle a little sulphur on it,
 0. In making jellies and jams from muscadines do you follow the direc. tiOns laid down for grapes? Mrs E., Evergreen, Ala,
 A. Muscadines and scuppernongs may be treated in the same manner af RraDes. They are. after all. nnIv ana.