208 Growing Flowers 



frost being out of the ground, a long season will be 

 insured. 



Before plants are transplanted from the hotbed 

 to the garden, they should be thoroughly hardened 

 by giving them at first just a little air, gradually 

 increasing the amount of air space daily until they 

 are entirely exposed. Hotbed plants should never 

 be exposed after the sun has gone down until the 

 period of all-day fresh air has been reached, then 

 the glass may be raised during the night. When 

 they can stand this treatment and thrive, they are 

 ready to be planted out of doors. Not only will 

 this method prevent plants dying from sudden ex- 

 posure, but they will be much more strong and 

 vigorous when they have attained full growth. 



All watering of plants in the hotbed or cold frame 

 should be done in the morning and preferably on 

 sunny days. To water them late in the afternoon 

 and close the glass down will cause them to become 

 chilled. 



The hotbed should be given a southern location 

 that it may receive all the sunlight there is, and it 

 should be protected on the north and east from 

 the bitter winds. Placed near a wall or fence, or 

 even thick shrubbery on the north and east, will 



