SUCCESSFUL GARDENING 
(Continued from page 4) 
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 whéel 
properly firms the soil over the seed row. Always plant in good 
straight rows unless contour farming is practiced. Appearance is 
not only better and cultivating is easier. If hand planted, make cer- 
tain 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 cultivator. 
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 dries out more quickly. 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 in your neighborhood. Some seeds like parsnip cannot be 
made to grow well after the ground becomes too warm. On the 
other hand, watermelon seed if planted in cold wet ground will rot. 
If rains occur after the seeds are sown and a crust forms, this should 
be carefully broken, otherwise the tender plants will not be able 
to get through to the surface. Some seeds are slow to germinate 
and these should be sown thickly in order that the plantlets may 
break the crust on the soil. It is a good plan to sow a few quick 
germinating seeds such as radish, cabbage or turnip with slow ger- 
minating celery, parsnip, carrot and the like. This will mark the 
row for early cultivation and help break the soil crust. 
CULTIVATION As soon as plants in the row can be seen, begin 
cultivating very shallow and close as_ possible 
without damaging the plants. Away from the plants, deeper cultiva- 
tion should be practiced, gradually lessening this as the plants grow 
to avoid root injury. Cultivate and hoe often enough so that you 
are cultivating the soil instead of ploughing ott weeds. If under 
irrigation, water often enough to keep the soil in good moist condi- 
tion; do not oversoak. Cultivate at least once between, each irriga- 
tion until the crop is laid by. . 
HOTBEDS Some provision for starting certain plants earlier than 
in the open air is desirable. A hotbed will fill this 
need and pay for itself many times over. First class hardy plants 
can easily be grown and the surplus may be sold to your neighbors. 
(Continued on page 6) 
5 
Our new seed washing center on farm 16, adjoining Rocky Ford on the east. 
This shows unloading docks, power washers, sluice box, and drying trays. Clear 
water is from a well and lifted by a turbine pump. Cantaloupe, cucumber, 
watermelon, pepper and tomato seed are washed here, 

