Tabor City tribune. (Tabor City, N.C.) 1946-1991, 1959-04-15

more By their close association
with water than with the land
by which they earned their
bread. Like air. water Is SO
closely bound to mans evolu-
ton that 1t may well be the
limiting factor in his destiny.
Maybe we can better under
stand the neew for water In
plant growth if We examine
some figures to see how it con-
stitutes the greater part of liv.
ing plants: 80 per cent Of the
edible parts of such vegetables
as cabbage and spinach: IS per
cent Of the fruit of the apple
and strawberry; IS per cent of
the green weight of leaves and
succulent twigs: and 70 per cent
of the weight Of roots. II serves
as a solvent for mineral nutri-
ents that enter the plant through
the roots and acts as a medium
through which substances are
transported within the plant It's
sues. Approximately 5000 gal
Ions of water per tree, Is re-
quired to mature crop OF
peaches. This is the amount act
ually used by the tree and does
not include water lost by run
off. seepage or evaporation from
the soil surface.
Tremendous quantities Of wat
err are lost by Transportation from
the leaf surface. Some plants
have structural adaptations
which reduce water losses. These
include: reduction of leaf sur
face in the needles of conifers,
heavy cutin on the leaves of the
jade plant, pubescent thairy>
leaves of the African violet and
modelled stems and leaves on
the cactus.
How much water to apply?
How often? Only you can de-
termine this because so much
depends upon your soil type. the
used. the competition
from roots of shade trees, rain
fall. wind and temperature. A
or two may be help
full. Water infrequently but soak
when applying. Avoid the COM
mon mistake of just springlins
a little every day.
7 believe that spring has turn
cd the corner now and that we
can expect a little better treat
,nrnt wcather-wise. Hope so
anyway.
| dislike bringing up the sub
ie I Of disease and insect pests,
while we are enjoying the flow
ering trees and shrubs which
are now in all of their seasonal
beauty. Remember that they
have a way of sneaking up on
us and causing real trouble be-
fore we realize what is happen
ing.
Here are some of the worst
offenders: the Lace Bug, especi-
ally bad on pyracantha, azaleaI
and Washington Hawthorn;
White Fly and Cottony Cushion
Scale on pittosporum and gard
,nia. All of these may be con-
rolled by spraying thoroughly
With Malathion Us per cent
powder) at the rate of
.wo tablespoons in one gallon
If water. II the so per cent
concentrate is used,
add two teaspoons of Malathion
Tor each gallon of water. Be
,ure to cover the under sides of
he leaves. Red Spider mites on
azalea can also be controlled
With either Of these mixtures.
Be careful when using spray
of any kind. Keep
labeled and stored in a safe
place. Avoid breathing either
dust, OF spray drift. Carefully
follow manufacturers instruc-
tons printed on the container.
Your County Agricultural Ag-
emit can supply you spray cal
endars covering the control Of
insect and disease pests which
attack fruit, vegetable and orn-
crops.
Make plans to prune your
watermellons this summer II
you want some big ones. Save
two or three Of the best shaped
on each vine and re
move the rest Pruning should
be done when the melons are
about the size Of q quart jar.
Plan the vegetable garden
well and keep it growing. Don't
give up when the sun gets hot
and the weeds try to take over.
Side dress the early leafy crops
with nitrogen. Lift dahlias and
divide the clumps il you did not
dig and store last fall. Prune
the early Towering shrubs il
they need it. Plant gIadiolus
ouar,r kr,rc ,rrooL. L. .nzai...