6 
Colorado Experiment Station 
to their cultural requirements and length of season required to 
mature. By grouping together such crops as lettuce,, radishes, 
spinach, etc., which require a short season, the ground may be util¬ 
ized for planting another crop after these are out of the way. By 
planning ahead, the portion of the garden devoted to cabbage or 
cauliflower may be made to produce a ‘‘companion crop” of green 
onions. If the cabbage rows are to be 2^4 feet part, plant the 
onions as early as the ground can be worked, placing the rows 
half way between where the cabbage rows will be planted later. 
The cabbage plants will be set out sometime later, and before they 
need all the room the onions will be gathered and out of the way. 
Radishes, lettuce, and beets are also often grown as companion 
crops. 
Where horse cultivation is to be practiced, the rows should 
run the long way of the garden, so as to avoid turning as much 
as possible. In the small garden, where most of the cultivation is 
by hand, this is less important. 
ROTATION OF CROPS 
The same varieties of vegetables, or those closely related, 
should not be grown in the same part of the garden year after 
year. It is a good idea to follow root crops with those which bear 
their edible parts above ground, and vice versa. In this way, many 
plant diseases and insect pests may be avoided. 
If the crops have been grouped according to cultural require¬ 
ments, about all that is necessary for rotation is to shift the 
groups. 
GARDEN SEED 
In most of the larger towns and cities, there are reliable seed 
stores which carry good seed of the standard varieties of vege¬ 
tables. In the smaller towns, however, it is often impossible to 
get dependable seed at home. In such cases, it is recommended 
that the gardener order seed from some well-known seed house. 
It is not often advisable for the gardener to trv to save his 
own seed unless he is familiar with the principles of plant breed¬ 
ing. Such seed is usuallv more or less impure, and, therefore, not 
the most desirable kind for planting. 
Seedsmen advertise very widely certain “novelites” and “new 
creations,” which appear to have superior qualities, but it is best 
for the gardener to plant standard, well-proven varieties for the 
most part, and leave the novelties alone until they have been well 
tested. 
Only good seed, of course, should be used in planting. Seed 
which is too old or that has been injured in any way should be 
