FORCING POTATOES. 107 



case of severe weather, to maintain the requisite degree of 

 warmth. The soil should be at least six inches deep at 

 the time of planting, and another three or four inches may 

 be added at the time of earthing. There should be at 

 least a foot of space allowed between the soil and the glass 



HOTBED AND FRAME. 



for the foliage to develop. When the temperature of the 

 bed is from 75 deg. to 80 deg., the sets may be planted, 

 when in the course of a few days the young growth will 

 appear through the soil. It will be necessary to cover the 

 glass at night to protect the plants from frost, and prevent 

 the temperature from falling too low. On all favourable 

 occasions air should be admitted at the top of the frame 

 by tilting the lights, but care should be exercised to guard 

 against cold draughts, as these would cause a serious 

 check to the tender growth. Should the weather after 

 planting be very severe, it may be necessary to add fresh 

 fermenting material round the outsides of the frame to 

 supply the requisite amount of warmth to promote a 

 healthy, vigorous growth. Very little water will be re- 

 quired, as the evaporation is not great during the dull 

 months of early spring; the soil, however, should on no 

 account be allowed to get dry. As the days lengthen, the 

 sun has more power, therefore evaporation will be greater, 

 so that water may be needed, in which case choose fine 



