SUCCESSFUL GARDENING 
(Continued from page 4) 
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. Application may be 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 ex- 
ercised 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 unless contour farming is practiced. 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 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, some like watermelon, 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 germinating celery, parsnip, carrot and the like. 
This will mark the row for early cultivation and help break the sofl 
crust. 
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. 

