98 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



MAKING A FARM HOTBED. 



The first spring work in the farm garden is making a hotbed. It will 

 furnish fresh vegetables when they are a relish and cost comparatively little, for 

 everything is at hand except the sash and that when once procured will last for 

 years. The ordinary hotbed sash is six by three feet, a very convenient size, 

 although any old sash will answer the purpose. Construct the frame as wide 

 as the sash is long and as long as it is desired to make the bed. Have it 12 

 inches high at the front and 18 inches at the back. About the ist of March, 

 haul out a few loads of fresh horse manure which has begun to ferment and 

 place it in a square flat pile. In a few days when it has begun to heat quite 

 violently, fork over, shake it out well and throw out all frozen lumps. Make 

 into a bed at least i ^ feet thick and extending a couple of feet beyond the 

 frame all around, treading it down firmly. Manure thrown loosely together 

 will heat rapidly for a short time and then become cold, but when it is made 

 comparatively firm, it will give forth a gentle heat for six or eight weeks. When 

 the bed has been prepared place the frame upon it and bank it up well to the 

 top with manure. 



It is now ready for the soil. Use light garden loam which has been pre- 

 pared the fall before. This had previously been placed in a heap and covered 

 with manure to keep it from freezing, so that it can be had when wanted. Neg- 

 lect of this item may cause some delay in making the hotbed, for the ground is 

 usually frozen March ist and it is difficult to procure soil from the open ground. 

 Place five or six inches of earth on the manure, levelling and fining with an 

 iron-toothed rake ; then put on the sash and leave the bed alone for a few days 

 before planting the seeds. If the seeds are put it at once the manure may 



Fig. 735.— Hotbed. 



