The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-18

(Q.) Does it hurt coleus plants to cut the tops out to avoid spindling plants? Should this be done before setting out or afterwards? Miss D., Calera, Ala.
 {A.l .Coleus plants are, generally benefited by pruning and the work may be done at any time. There is no danger in pruning coleus at anytime. Give the. plants distance and proper pruning for best results. The cuttings are easily rooted.
 : 0. Have you had any experience. in starting a Bermuda pasture from seed, and when did you plant and how ?-F. R. Montevallo, Ala.
 A. May is good time to SOW the seed. Thorough land preparation is de- sirable, but the main factor is shallow planting on a good, firm seed bed. The soil should be rolled or packed on the seed. Loose conditions are the chief causes of failure to gefminate. c. There is a green worm that has badly injured my cannas, just after coming up. Would 1t hurt to cut them back to the ground and let them have q fresh start? Mrs. R.. Ensley, Ala. Y A. I think not, and its about the only way to get rid of the unsightiy conditions mentioned in your letter. Alp ply some reliable insecticide in time to prevent another attack on new growth.
 Q. Why is 1t that. some of my straw berry plants produce a few fine, large berries while others on sthe same plant are so small as to be unstable ? Mrs. E.. M.,~ Wylam, Ala. I
 A. This condition is generally due to lack of frequent workings that the needs at certain stages of growth. There may be n deficiency in some needed element of plant food Or perhaps the plants are too close, dense or shaded, and then, too, runners may cause the trouble. F r '
 0. There is a little reddish brown worm that bores into the new young growth on my oceans. eats outs the pith, and the branch affected either dies or stops growing. What would you use to control ?-F. w., Demopolis, Ala. ' A. At this time of the year, it would pay to hand-work young stock and re- move the infested twigs or cut out the worm. It is important to spray with some arsenical at intervals to kill the next crop of this insect before they enter the trees. Spraying is absolutely necessary for control. ~ Q. Is it too late to apply conner cial fertilizer to a young orchard ?-M., Anniston, Ala.
 A. Really good time, and its well to know that, generally speaking, the best time to feed any plant is just before or. during the, most active period of growth. .@.
 q. Iawould like to be able to recog niZe disease and insects that attack plants and to know the remedy. Where could | get a. reliable book on the sub jectF-J- O., Albertxille, Ala.
 A. There are great number of such books, but all this informa tion is free through the bulletins published by the United States department. of agri- culture. If they don't have the infor- nation on hand, they can tell you where reliable sources may be. had.
 Q. My dahlias, left in the soil for the past few years, are now. large enough to bloom, but something has attacked them and all are practically dead, What would you do in an effort to save them? Miss I. l.s-
 A. In the absence of more informa- tiori, it would be difficult to say what the trouble is, but inasmuch as it is really too early for dahlias to bloom, 1t might be desirable to cut the plants clear back to the ground. When they grow out again, prune them to about two stalks to the elump and pull off surplus suckers when they appear. . 5fG What Il. up this, early in the, season and before blooming [ Could anything be done ?-- Mrs, H., Russeilville. SH
 A. Lack of culture, poor soil condi- tons and had drainage are the chief causes of, this condition. The trouble could be due to disease or insects, but the foliage is generally free from these, but the bulks often become diseased and this may be the trouble. Cultivation will help lot. Tt is best to take the gladiOli bulbs up every season, and when resetttng select only those that are firm and free of disease or other Dlemishes.
 Q, I am fond sof fuschias but they lever seem to grow for me. Is somei Ipecial treatment needed fof success 9 Miss M. Ozark, Ala.
 A. F'uschias are somewhat difficult O grow in the south where the air be- 'omes dry early in summer. Good soil; l requent cultivation and some shade is a | 'ood remedy to follow. Watering at egular periods is also important.
 Qa Will the remedy known as Cal sulphur destroy other insects that at- ack the bean plant besides the bean | 'eetle. such, for example, as lice? T. O., | Albany, Ala. ysI..a.e, @
 A. Cal-Sulphur, so successful in the | ontroL of the Mexican bean beetle, is l eath to leaf eating insects on any plant | nd while 1t is not especially recom- aended for plant lice, as a matter of Set. 1t does fairly control them.
 v. How do people manage squash to .eep the insects from destroying them?
 cannot produce them at all.-Mrs. J, Alexander City, Ala.
 A. The summer squashes are difficult | n account of 50 many insect enemies. \ Asgood plan is not to crowd the vines md 1t is positively necessary to dust he plants when very young and repeat t week intervals to keep enemies down. preparation known as 40 dust isI plendid. sf
 Q. IL nave been told that there IS af liant called Sea Kale that is splendid ummer vegetable. When should it be llapted ? Mrs. J.
 A.; Sea Kale is simply another name or Swiss .chard, known under various lanies. n It is a delightful vegetable, in act, just as good or better than spin eh and. will stand the heat of the sum ner.
 O. Is there a vegetable that you can liant at this time of the year that will