52 



GARDENING FOR PROFIT. 



88 per 100, or 84 per sash. The crop is cut out by the 

 first week in March, giving plenty time to plant the same 

 hot-bed again with Lettuce ; but now it is no longer a hot- 

 bed, for by this time the heat from the dung is exhausted, 

 and it is treated exactly as described in the chapter on 

 Cold Frames. 



Another use for the hot-bed is the raising of Tomato, 

 and Egg, and Pepper plants. The bed should be prepared 

 for these, not sooner than the 2nd week in March, and of 

 temperature, about the same as before described. In sow- 

 ing, it is well to cover the seed with some very light 

 mold ; nothing is better than leaf mold and sand, pat- 

 ting it gently with the back of the spade From the time 



Fig. 21. — WATERING POT. 



the seed is sown, attention to airing, during the hot part 

 of the day, and covering up at night, is essential, and also 

 that the soil be never allowed to get dry. The Avatering 

 should be done with a very fine rose Watering Pot, (fig. 

 21), and with tepid water. The temperature at night may 

 range from 55 to 65°, and during the day from 70 to 80°. 

 As soon as the seedling plants are an inch or two high, 

 which will be in 5 or 6 weeks, they must be taken up and 

 re-planted in a more extensive hot-bed, for they now re- 

 quire room. Tomatoes should be planted of a width to 

 give 75 or 100 in each sash. Pepper and Egg Plants do 



