THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



feet in the ground, six feet above; and set them six feet apart, leaning back eighteen inches 

 at the top, so that the mats when leaning up against them are not likely to be blown down. 

 Planks 2 by 12 inches are set in the fall, before the ground freezes, so as to make a frame six 

 feet wide, outside measure, two feet from the fence, and carefully adjusted so that when the 

 sashes are placed on them they will pitch five inches. The space between the plank is then 

 covered with litter, to keep out the frost, and the bed can be used at any time in the winter. 

 When it is needed for use, the loam is thrown out, and fresh horse manure put in to the depth 

 of six to twelve inches according to the season of the year and the crop to be raised; the 

 loam is then thrown back on the manure to the depth of six or eight inches, and covered with 

 sash and mats, and after a few days the bed will generally be in order for planting.&quot; 



The soil within the frame should be deeply spaded, from one two feet, according to 

 the season and the amount of heat required, also finely pulverized. When much heat is 

 required for a hotbed, the soil is taken out to the depth of several inches, and a quantity of 

 fresh horse manure is put in mixed with a few leaves, and from six to ten inches of rich 

 soil spread evenly over the manure. The frame is then covered with the sashes, and after 

 standing a few days to allow it to ferment, and the rank heat and steam to pass off, the seed 

 may be sown. Where the ground is well drained, it is thought by many to be a better plan 

 to dig out a space from one to two feet deep the size of the frame, according to the amount of 

 heat required, the season, etc., then pack the manure in firmly and evenly before covering 

 with the soil. 



Care of Hotbeds, etc. Before sowing the seed, the surface soil should be worked 

 so as to render it more moist and also to pulverize it. When the soil is cold and damp, the 

 sash should be kept on for a few days before sowing in order that it may become warm. The 

 bed should be watered a little every morning and the soil kept damp, but not so wet as to cause 

 the seeds to rot. During warm days the sash should be raised a little to admit the air; it 

 should, however, be kept closed during cold nights. Sometimes during very cold days, and 

 especially nights, mats or old pieces of carpeting will be required to cover the sash, to pre 

 vent the freezing or chilling of the plants. If the plants grow too rapidly, and too slender, it 

 shows that the air is too warm in the frame, and more air from outside should be admitted 

 It should be remembered that the slower growing plants will be more hardy, and that the 

 object of the frame is not only to start the plants, but to preserve them from freezing. 



A little experience will enable the person having charge of a hotbed to determine the 

 amount of heat and air required for a healthy growth. As the season gets warmer it will be 

 necessary to shade the glass during the hottest part of the day. Before transplanting, the 

 plants should be gradually hardened by first half removing the sash for a few days, and 

 afterwards removing it altogether. This may be done when the temperature is no lower 

 than 30, but they may be opened more or less, when below this. Some air should be given 

 when the temperature is as low as 10. If there should be a considerable fall of snow, it is 

 always best to remove it from the sashes to prevent the plants from becoming too warm, and 

 start into an unhealthy growth. But it is always safe to be prepared for a sudden change of 

 temperature to severe cold, after a succession of mild days. In such cases, shutters, old 

 carpets or mats, straw, marsh hay, or other litter should be in readiness to place over the 

 sashes to protect the plants from freezing. When the plants have been well hardened, and 

 the temperature of the season and the soil are suitable, they should be carefully removed and 

 transplanted. 



Soil and its Preparation. The quality of the soil and its preparation has a great 

 influence in determining the results attained in gardening. With all the other provisions 

 made for easy and efficient cultivation, these must not be overlooked. It is true that all 

 vegetables do not require the same kind of soil, but for general purposes, a deep, black loam, 



