314 HOT-BEDS. 



to begin to "turn out" the young plants, which opera- 

 tion brings us to the out-door garden. 



The duty of the hot-bed is done ; and we have now 

 only to store away frame and sashes in a dry place for 

 another spring. 



We have said, plant the seeds in pots. This is the 

 best plan, as thus the young plants suffer less in trans- 

 planting ; but we may sow the seed directly in the hot- 

 bed. To do this, sift fine rich loam on the manure 

 (instead of the tan, as above directed), and in this, plant 

 the seeds in drills : the loam should be about eight inches 

 deep, and the seed should not be sown for a few days, 

 in order to let the fierce heat and steam pass off. A 

 far better and more durable hot-bed may be constructed 

 of masonry. Excavate trenches of proper depth, below 

 the reach of frost, and build up walls of solid rough 

 stone, to about eighteen inches above the ground be- 

 hind, and eight inches in front ; or, if preferred, the walls 

 above ground may be of brick laid in cement ; on these 

 walls place the sill and cross bars for the sliding sash; 

 fill in the manure and loam, or tan, and manage as 

 above. A hot-bed, constructed as thus directed, will last 

 for twenty years ; and even if not wanted for a hot-bed, 



