A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



Many hotbeds are made entirely above 

 the surface, but the pit retains the heat 

 much better, making the filling last longer 

 than in a surface bed. A cold frame is use- 

 ful and easy to manage, but the hotbed in 

 midwinter is a difficult undertaking for 

 the amateur. So be advised ! Make your 

 first experiment in spring, when climatic con- 

 ditions will improve each day, so mitigating 

 the danger that might arise from a lapse of 

 memory about covering, overheating, or like 

 important points. 



Onion sets planted out the end of the 

 month, and covered about the end of Octo- 

 ber with straw or leaves, will supply green 

 onions for the table two or three weeks earlier 

 in the spring than it is possible to get others. 



Kale sown now will grow rapidly and 

 stand out all through the winter, a slight, 

 nay, rather heavy, frost only improving it. 

 During January and February it is well to 

 throw bedding of some sort each side of the 

 rows, and a light covering over the top to 



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