COMMERCIAL FERTILIZER There is no infallible rule for 
determining 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 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 commercial 
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 
depth of planting is correctly gauged, also that the presser wheel 
properly firms the soil over the seed row. If under irrigation and 
furrowing attachments used, make certain that none of the 
shovels are throwing soil on 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 of 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 soil crust. 5 
Our 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 
