SUCCESSFUL GARDENING 
(Continued from page 3) 
should be thoroughly decomposed so that its plant food soon be- 
comes available and many weed seeds killed. The use of fresh, rank 
manure is especially undesirabe when growing such crops as onion 
and parsnip, as this is liable to result in soft bulbs, scallions and 
branched or misshapen roots. 
TILLAGE Remove all refuse of previous crops as early as possible 
in the fall. Spread the composted manure evenly. First 
dise 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 pulverized, 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 -centeritane which is vertical. These floats 
thoroughly.pulverize the small clods in addition to picking up the soil 
on the high‘places and depositing on the low places, permitting better 
drill operation. The oftener the ground is worked over before sow- 
ing 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, etc. 
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 
(Continued on page 5) 
4 D. V. Burrell Seed Growers Co., Rocky Ford, Colo. 

