COMMERCIAL FERTILIZER There is no infallible rule for 
determining what fertilizer to 
apply. The grower must study his conditions and judge for him- 
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. Lack of humus cannot be made up by increasing dose of com- 
mercial fertilizer. 
PLANTING Planting time is where the gardener arrives at the 
crossroads 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 
i depth of planting is correctly gauged, 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 tractor 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 vege- 
tables. 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 
break the soil crust. 
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 
Continued on page 6 
D. V. Burrell Seed Growers Co., Rocky Ford, Colo. 5 
| Our seed washing center on farm 16, adjoining Rocky Ford on the east. This shows unload- 
ing 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 
