The Canadian Horticulturist. 



91 



HOT BEDS— HOW TO MAKE AND OPERATE THEM 



SUCCESSFULLY. 



NE of the most convenient and profitable luxu- 

 ries in the spring is a well managed hot bed 

 from which one can daily gather lettuce, radish, 

 spinach, etc., and forward plants, such as cabbage, 

 tomato, pepper, cauliflower, for outside planting. 

 Also it makes a desirable and very satisfactory 

 place for startmg flower seeds and early flowering 

 plants for outside planting. Make the frame " box 

 shaped " to fit sash (any size sash you happen to 

 have on hand), though the standard size is about 3x7 feet. At 

 the bottom, boards should be about 12 inches high ; the top or 

 back, 18 inches ; the back being higher than the front gives a 

 declivity to the sash, thus casting off the rain and gives proper slant to receive 

 the sun's rays. 



Select a well drained location and one never flooded by rain. In pre- 

 paring a hot bed fresh horse manure should be piled up, which will heat in about 

 six days. It should then be turned and well tramped down ; the second fer- 

 mentation will then take place in four or five days. It is now ready for the bed 



should be packed one foot deep and banked up on all sides to the top. Five 



or six inches of rich and finely sifted soil must be spread over the manure, then 

 cover the frame with sash, after standing six days, or until the rank steam has 

 passed off"; seeds may then be sown. 



Keep the temperature as even as possible, from 45 to 50 degrees Fahren- 

 heit at night and not over 75 to 80 degrees during the day. In keeping up the 

 above temperature, (cold weather will give some draw backs) it will be necessary 

 in many instances to cover the sash with straw, mats, light manure, etc., on cold 

 and frosty nights. (This covering, however, should be removed as soon as pos- 

 sible) Remove the covering every morning when weather permits, at 9 o'clock, 

 or as soon as the sun rests upon the glass, as every effort should be made to 

 give the plants all the sunlight possible, as its rays are vivifying to a degree 

 beyond the amount of its heat, it having a chemical and physiological effect 

 beyond explanation. 



Even dull light is better than no light, consequently it is a bad plan to 

 cover the sash with mats, except for the direct purpose of keeping out cold. 

 Give a little air about 10 o'clock ; cut off the air in the afternoon as soon as it 

 (the air) becomes the least chilly, then if necessary cover with mats, etc., about 

 sunset to retain heat. Care should be taken to keep the cold winds from blow- 

 ing in upon the plants when sash are removed to admit air. Great care should, 

 be taken in watering hot beds. Do not give too much water, for if this be done, 

 the soil is apt to become soggy and sour. Success depends upon bottom heat 

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