THE HOTBED AND ITS USES. 1 45 



nights and during windy weather, at which time the frame should 

 be protected by shutter, beards or mats. 



Watering should be done with caution. Use rain water, avoid 

 ice cold water and do not water too much so as to puddle the 

 ground. Water thoroughly, and don't water again until the plants 

 need it. In the early part of the season water in the morning to 

 avoid the plants going into night quarters with wet foliage; as the 

 weather becomes very warm, water toward evening, or the hot sun 

 will evaporate the moisture out of the ground before it is thor- 

 oughly soaked in. 



Ventilation is very important, in fact, the most important point. 

 On pleasant, sunny days, ventilation should be given by raising the 

 sash, resting it in a notched block, always opening the sash con- 

 trary to the wind. Beginners generally ventilate too little rather 

 than too much. 'Whenever the water collects on the panes, ventila- 

 tion should be given if weather permits. As the plants grow, more 

 and more ventilation should be given, and finally on bright sunny 

 days the sash can be stripped from the frame. In this way the 

 plants become accustomed to a lower temperature. This, of course, 

 only applies to plants which are to be transplanted to the open 

 ground. For forcing lettuce the sash must never be taken off. 



Plants should be transplanted at least two or three times before 

 they are set in the open ground. It makes them grow stocky and 

 gives them a better root development. In case of celery and cab- 

 bage the tops should be sheared. Cabbage plants ought to be 

 completely hardened, so that they can be set in the open ground 

 about the last week in April. In hardening cabbage plants care 

 must be taken about leaving the sash off the first night, selecting a 

 night when there is no danger of frost. Do this for four or five 

 nights, and your plants will withstand a slight frost. 



Another important point is shading forcing vegetables, especial- 

 ly lettuce. This can be easily done by whitewashing the glass. 



The Ornamental in Horticulture. — In a recent letter the popular land- 

 scape architect who signs his name below says: 



"I am very much interested in the progress of the Minnesota State Horticul- 

 tural Society. The amount of attention given the improvement of home 

 grounds is something of a revelation to realize that this work is taking such a 

 strong hold upon the mind of the public.'' 



Boston, Mass. Warren H. Manning. 



