The Hotbed and Cold-Frame 121 



Be careful when watering the hotbed and cold- 

 frame. They should never be soaked, but should 

 be watered thoroughly. A very fine spray should 

 be used that the water may be applied without 

 much force, as to dash the water on will result not 

 only in washing up seeds or seedlings but will re- 

 sult in packing the soil down, thus making it hard 

 when it is dry. 



Ventilation for young plants should be given 

 gradually, and it should first be given on a mild, 

 sunny day. Half an inch for an hour will be 

 enough air for the first couple of days, and later 

 this aperture may be increased to an inch, two 

 inches, three inches, etc., also increasing the length 

 of time until it is left wide open all day. It should 

 always be closed at night until the plants are 

 almost ready to be set in the open ground, and then 

 it should be left open to give them the same ex- 

 posure that they will later receive. If this care 

 is exercised not even the most tender plants will 

 suffer from transporting. 



To make a hotbed". After determining the size 

 of the hotbed, earth should be removed from the 

 chosen location and boards set in the ground in 

 the form of a box with the bottom out. (In fact, 

 if a large box can be procured and buried, much 

 labor will be spared.) The back of the hotbed 



