SUCCESSFUL GARDENING 
(Continued from page 3) i 
distribution of labor, better use of irrigation water, less disease 
risk, encounages the keeping of livestock, controls weeds and helps 
to minimize risk of hail, insects and low markets. Where available, 
a liberal coating of manure should be given the ground. This should 
be thoroughly decomposed so that its plant food soon becomes avail- 
able and many weed seeds killed. The use of fresh, rank manure is 
especially undesirable 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. J irst 
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. Disc 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 con- 
structed from planks, or excellent steel land levelers can now be pur- 
chased. 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. These floats thoroughly pul- 
verize the small clods.in addition to picking up the soil on the high 
places and depositing on the low places, permitting better drill.opera- 
tion... The oftener the ground is worked over before sowing or pan 
ing the cleaner and Herter 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 fertilizer con- 
taining 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, ete. 
PLANTING Planting time is where the gardener arrives at he 
cross roads and considerable judgment must be exer-. 
cised in selecting the seed to be planted and the methods of 
; (Continued on page 5). 
4 r D. V. Burrell Seed Growers Co., Rocky Ford, ae 

