FARMERS^ GARDENS. 345 



give fine fruits, but will not ensure tliat early maturity whict is the great 

 desideratum in the northern States, especially in regard to those fruits and 

 plants that have come to us from countries of warmer climates and longer 



seasons. 



HOT-BEDS FOR FARMERS' GARDENS. 



Market gardeners, commercial florists and amateurs understand well the 

 absolute necessity of hot-beds in the economy of their operations. But few 

 farmers are willing or able to incur the expense and afford the time which they 

 imagine necessary for their construction and management. Various plans have 

 been suggested for making cheap and simple hot-beds, almost any of which 

 will answer for a garden for a common family. Every farmer may have at 

 trifling cost a few feet square covered with glass to bring forward at least some 

 lettuce, tomatoes, cabbages, early cucumbers, and a few flowers for his wife and 

 daughters. October is the proper time to prepare the hot-bed. 



Sashes three feet wide by five or six feet in length ai-e the most convenient. 

 Three such sashes will cover a bed of sufiicient size for most families. 



A frame nine feet long and of a width corresponding to the length of the 

 sash may be made of plank or inch boards ; it should be twelve inches deep 

 at the front and eighteen inches at the back , the bed should be prepared on 

 the southerly side of a wall, board fence, hedge, or some building; dig out a 

 space as large as the frame eighteen inches deep ; fill up with horse manure in- 

 termixed with leaves, straw, or litter of any kind one foot deep ; tread it down 

 moderately ; cover this with good garden soil mixed with a little ashes, plaster, 

 and fine compost ; put on the frame, bank up the outside with coarse manure, 

 straw or mulch of any kind, and cover with boards: put on the glass in March, 

 and let it remain until the bed has become warmed by fermentation ; the glass 

 should be covered at night to prevent the radiation of the heat. 



When the soil, which should be at least six inches deep, is in a proper state, 

 sow the seed in rows at suitable distances; a portion of the bed may be re- 

 served for pots, which should be imbedded in the soil to their rims. When the 

 seeds begin to sprout sprinkle the surface occasionally with the watering pot; 

 in the middle of pleasant days slide ofl" the glass to give them air. It is im- 

 portant to attend to this, as growing plants need a plentiful supply of fresh air. 

 After the plants are well above the surface the sash should be lifted whenever 

 the sun is shining clear and warm, lest they be scorched. Sometim'es a fe^v 

 hours' neglect of this precaution will greatly injure or entirely ruin the plants. 



The fermenting manure will keep the soil warm at the bottom and the sun 

 will warm the surface ; thus the germinating seeds will find a warm soil and a 

 warm air which will bring them forward two or three weeks earlier than they 

 would come in the open air. In this way strong and vigorous plants may be 

 grown and ready to transplant about the time seeds are usually sown in gardefii 

 beds. After transplanting use some slight cover to protect the plants from the 

 cold night air and the wind, and, if needful, from black flies and other insects. 

 Thus a supply of early vegetables wiU be secured, such as tomatoes, cucumber's, 

 cabbages, and so forth, which will be much enjoyed. This may seem a smajl 

 matter to many farmers and not worth the trouble, but if tried will be founjd 

 one of those little things that contribute to the pleasure of life — that keep t\s 

 cheerful, contented, and in a happy frame of mind. We shall watch with greait 

 interest these plants growing green and vigorous before other vegetation shows 

 itself above the ground. They tell us of what is coming; they strengthen oqr 

 faith in the certainty of nature's arrangements, and encourage our hopes in th? 

 future. There is a satisfaction in having our early peas, radishes, or lettuce 

 that well repays all the trouble they cost. 



Ten or fourteen days may be gained even without the use of glass by 

 making a bed of fine, rich soU well filled with warm compost, under the sheltqr 



