The Canadian Horticulturist. 99 



become so hot that the tender germs will be destroyed. About the third or 

 fourth day, the heat will usually subside to about 80 degrees, then it will be 

 safe to sow. Mark off in rows about four inches apart, scatter the seed thinly 

 in the drills, cover with half an inch of soil, and pat the bed down over the rows 

 with a board on the back of a hoe. 



Radishes and onions do not need transplanting, but transplant tomatoes 

 and cabbage once or twice before setting in the open ground, giving them more 

 room each time. Also transplant lettuce when it gets its second or third pair 

 of leaves. Set three inches apart each way and it will soon become large enough 

 for use. Always keep the bed full. As soon as one crop is taken out put in 

 something else. 



Open the bed and let in fresh air when the weather will permit. As it 

 becomes warmer the sash may be removed altogether during the middle of the 

 day, but must always be replaced when it turns cool toward evening. When 

 the water begins to gather on the inside of the glass, it shows that the air is 

 getting damp and heavy and if not changed the plants will smother, or the 

 temperature will get too high ; but always avoid letting in a cold draught 

 directly on to the plants. Water sparingly in cold weather and never when the 

 sun is very bright, for the drops of water on the leaves under the glass act as a 

 lens and burn the leaves so that they will turn brown. For this reason in 

 bright weather the watering should be done either in the morning or evening. 

 If too much water is given the bed will become soggy and dead and the plants 

 will turn yellow and cease to thrive. To avoid this I let the bed become quite 

 dry before watering and then give it a thorough soaking. On cold nights or in 

 stormy weather the glass should be covered with matting or boards, or even hay 

 or straw, to keep the temperature from falling too low. A well managed hotbed 

 will more than pay any family for the trouble. Once enjoyed it will be made 

 every spring. It will require a little attention every day, but the pleasure of 

 having early vegetables will be an ample reward. — American Agriculturist. 



Drainage in Flower-Pots. — Although all persons are familiar with the 

 fact that the flower-pot must have a hole in the bottom, very few understand 

 why it is necessary that the water should be allowed to escape. The usual 

 thought is that water is essential to plant life. To some extent no plant could 

 live in thoroughly dry earth, — at the same time atmospheric air is of quite as 

 much, if not of more, importance than water, and the change of air is as neces 

 sary for the roots of plants as for human beings. Air in the earth in a flower- 

 pot soon loses its life-giving powers, and has to be changed for fresh air. 

 Watering accomplishes this, — it drives out all the foul air, and then after the 

 water passes away, a new supply of air takes the place of the water. In this 

 way continual watering thoroughly aerates the soil. -\ plant in a flower-pot 

 which seldom needs watering, is in a bad condition. — Meehans' Monthly. 



