SUCCESSFUL GARDENING 
{Continued from pacje 2) 
PREPARATION Many growers seem to think that good gardening 
consists in killing weeds and bugs, but the best gar¬ 
dening is in not having them. The good gardener 
tills better and manages his land in such a manner as to prevent, 
rather than eradicate weeds. Disc the land thoroughly as early in 
the spring as it can be worked after which the entire surface should 
be made line and level with a smoothing harrow. In the Rocky Ford 
district, the land is leveled by means of a long narrow float. These 
are constructed from planks. The two side members are long, 
usually 12 to 18 feet, turned on edge much like sled runners. Three 
cross members are aitacned even with the bottom of the runners and 
are placed at a slight angle except the center one which is vertical. 
These floats thoroughly pulverize the small clods in addition to pick¬ 
ing up the soil on the high places and depositing on the low places. 
The oftener the ground is worked over before sowing or planting 
the cleaner and better it will be. 
COMMERCIAL FERTILIZER There is no infallible rule for determining 
what fertilizer to apply. The grower must . 
study his conditions and judge for him¬ 
self. A little experimenting will help or advice may be given by the 
State College of Agriculture or local farm bureau agent. Usually a 
fertilizer containing 4% nitrate, 12% phosphate and 6% potash is 
satisfactory. Apply this at the rate of about 4 pounds to the square 
rod. When fertilizers are relied upon, some form of humus should 
be supplied. This can be done by turning under green crops or 
applying rotted leaves, peat moss, manure, etc. 
VINE SEED WASHER 
This type of Weisher is used to separate the seed from the pulp after threshing. 
Will wash several thousand pounds a day of cauitaloupe, cucumber, or other vine 
seed. Seed is then ready to be spread on the drying trays as shown on page 5. 
PLANTING Planting time is where the gardener arrives at the cross 
roads and considerable judgment must be exercised in 
selecting the seed to be planted and the methods of 
planting. The soil should always be moist, not too wet and not too 
dry. Use a good drill seeing that the amount of seed dropped and 
depth of planting is correctly gaged, also that the presser wheel 
properly firms the soil over the seed row. Always plant in good 
straight rows. Appearance is not only better but cultivating is 
easier. If hand planted, make certain that the soil is firm around the 
seed row by tamping down slightly with a garden rake, hoe or with 
the flat side of a board. Use as long rows as possible and space 
wide enough apart to admit the free use of a wheel hoe or culti¬ 
vator. Pay particular attention to depth of planting. Seeds often 
fail to come up from being covered too shallow or too deep. Early 
in the spring when the soil is moist, seeds should not be covered as 
deep as later in the season when the ground becomes dry. As a rule, 
the smaller the seed, the shallower the depth of planting and this 
applies to small flower seeds as well as vegetables. If not familiar 
with the soil temperature required for germination of each kind of 
seed, study our cultural directions or ask some experienced gardener 
{Continued on pane 4) 
See Page 91 for Special Prices to Market Growers 
3 
