QUERIES AND ANSWERS. 78 



marketable pods with such a solution, as the pods might carry the 

 poison. 



419. Q. How is it seed sown in the drill very often comes up in spots ? vitauty. 

 Does it indicate unvital seed ? 



A. The question almost answers itself, for, if the seed sown sprouted 

 thickly in several places or even in one place, it demonstrates that had the 

 conditions been good there would be an equal germination all over the 

 field ; that the seed was all right — something else was wrong. 



420. Q. How is it that double varieties of flowers can't be produced Doable 

 from seed with the same reliability as single sorts ? oweis. 



A. Double flowers are abnormal, that is, out of the ordinary form. 

 The sexual organs often becoming entirely changed in development, often 

 indeed becoming leaves themselves. 



421. Q. Can I apply Paris green to my small cabbages? Paris Green. 

 A. Yes, when they are very small, as subsequent rains will wash out 



from the joints any of the mineral poison which may lodge there; but 

 when the plants are heading it would be criminal to apply Paris green. 



422. Q. What is the cause of smut on onion sets and how can it be pre- Onion Smut. 

 vented ? 



A. It is a fungous growth which may be partially prevented by bath- 

 ing the seed in a copper solution and by spraying the plants with the 

 same. A soil-dressing of salt has a good effect. It can be had in kainit, 

 which also contains potash. 



423. Q. Can crops be bred to ripen earlier by selecting seed stock from Unripe Seed, 

 plants not thoroughly ripe? 



A. Yes, a very noticeable result can be obtained after three or four 

 years of diligent application. By that time the stock is truly a pedigree 

 stock and will develop a character of marked earliness compared with 

 the stock from which it was originally derived. 



424. Q. What is your experience with Winter or turf oats ? Winter Oats. 

 A. On our Virginia plantations we have cultivated it for thirty years 



with great satisfaction. It produces a greater number of pounds to the 

 acre of heavier seed than we can obtain from any other sort. We sow it 

 in September and it gets a foot high by December. It can be pastured 

 all Winter but not after starting in the Spring. 



425. Q. How is it that to obtain a continued bloom from sweet peas the Sweet Peas 

 flower should be regularly cut oflf ? Blooming. 



A. Simply because sweet peas are like everything else : if allowed to 

 develop seed the drain upon the vitality of the plant absorbs all its vigor 

 and flowering almost ceases. It is the same with cucumbers. Cut off" the 

 young, green pickles, and there will be continuous blooming ; but permit 

 the first settings to form large fruit and the blossoms will cease to appear. 



426. Q. Can sweet peas be successfully grown in the Southern States ? p^*** ^®** 

 A. Certainly ; but the seed must be sown in November, December or 



January, that the vines be developed in the early Spring months. 



427. Q. Is it possible to keep watermelons till January and retain their Melons. 

 flavor? 



