
SUCCESSFUL GARDENING 
(Continued from page 3) 
TILLAGE Remove all refuse of previous crops as early as possible 
in the fall. Spread the composted manure evenly. First 
disc in and then plough, taking a narrow furrow in order to thor- 
“oughly mix the manure with the soil. Fall ploughing enables the 
gardener to be forehanded with his work, renders the land earlier 
in the spring and improves the physical character of the soil. Freez- 
ing during the winter slacks the lumps, making it easy to have a 
finely puiverized, mellow, deep seed bed. In irrigated countries, fall 
and winter irrigation is desirable. 

Threshing Cucumbers for seed. The fruits are crushed and go through 
a reel which removes the seed from the rind and pulp. The seed is 
then drawn off from the tank below the reel. 
PREPARATION Many growers seem to think that good garden- 
ing consists in killing weeds and bugs, but the 
best gardening 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. Dise the land thoroughly as early in the 
spring as it can be worked after which the entire surface should be 
made fine 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, or an excellent steel float can now be 
purchased. The two side members are long, usually 12 to 18 feet, 
turned on edge much like sled runners. Three cross members are 
attached even with the bottom of the runners and are placed at a 
slight angle except the center one which is vertical. Irrigation 
farmers find a good leveler to be a most valuable implement, proper 
use of which will result in an even level seed bed that permits bet- 
ter drill operation. Also much time, labor and irrigation water can 
be saved. The Eversman All Purpose Steel Leveler combines the 
work of fresno and float and is capable of moving enormous quan- 
tities of dirt at small expense. - These floats thoroughly pulverize 
the small clods in addition to\picking 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 de- 
termining what fertilizer to apply. 
The grower must study his conditions and judge for himself. A 
little experimenting will help or advice may be given by the State 
College of Agriculture or local farm bureau agent. Usually a fer- 
tilizer containing 4% nitrate, 12% phosphate*and 6% potash is sat- 
isfactory, ., 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, ete. 


ES ie PLANTING Planting time is where the gardener arrives at the 
yh ~ .eross. roads and considerable judgment must be 
i ‘exercised in selecting the seed to be planted and the methods of 
‘2 planting. The soil should always be moist, not too wet and not too 
“ary. Use a good drill*seeing that the amount of seed dropped and 
“so depth of planting is correctly gaged, ‘also that ‘the presser wheel 
“ nae broperly, firms the soil over the seed. row, vers. pent in good 
Ty Oe pa . : “(Continued » on page” 8) 
| 3 D.V, Burrell Seed Growers o, Rocky Ford, Colo. 





ea, 

