Hotbed Construction and Management 



1625 



in 1 ox 1 2 -inch size, for 23 to 4 cents per pane. Putty can be obtained 

 at a paint or hardware store, or it can be made by mixing white lead, 

 linseed oil, and whiting. Points are procured at small expense. 



For glazed sash the prices are as follows: single-glass sash, $2.75 to 

 $3.50; double-glass sash, $4.50 to $6. If bought in large quantities the 

 price is lower. 



Homemade and serviceable sash, with either single or double glass, 

 may be made by any one skilled in the use of tools. Either cypress or 



Fig. 19. — Hotbeds in winter. Sash dosed, 

 straw on other sash, both for protection, 

 north winds 



Straw mats on some of the sash, loose 

 Cornstalk fence to protect the beds from 



white pine can be used, dimension lumber being ordered. The joints 

 should be carefully made, and a rabbet plane may be used in finishing. 

 It is very important that the sash be kept well puttied and painted. 



preparation of the bed 



As a general rule, the construction of the hotbed takes place in the late 

 fall or early winter, and after being finished the bed is covered with boards 

 or shutters in order to keep out snow and ice. The covering is taken off 

 very early in the spring, usually six to eight weeks before plants can be 

 set outdoors. In heating beds the common material used is horse manure, 

 and this is the practice to be emphasized here. Hotbeds may be heated, 

 however, by hot water, steam, or flues, the pipe that carries the heat running 



