HOTBEDS AND GREENHOUSES 105 



well-made mortised plank frame costs four to six dollars. 

 A sash, unglazed, costs from one to two dollars. Glazing 

 costs seventy-five cents. Mats and shutters cost from fifty 

 cents to two dollars per sash, depending upon the material 

 used. Double thick glass pays better hi the end as being 

 less liable to breakage. These prices vary greatly, however. 



The following sample estimate by a gardener is for a mar- 

 ket garden of one acre, in which it is desired to grow a gen- 

 eral line of vegetables. It supposes that half of the acre 

 is to be set with plants from hotbeds. 



One eighth acre to early cauliflower and cabbage, about 

 2000 plants, if transplanted, would require two 6 X 12 

 frames, from two hundred to two hundred and fifty plants 

 being grown under each sash. 



These frames may be used again for tomato plants for 

 the same area, using about 450 plants. This will allow a 

 sash for every 55 plants. 



One frame should be in use at the same time for eggplants 

 and peppers, two sashes of each, growing fifty transplanted 

 plants under each sash. 



Two frames will be required for cucumbers, melons, and 

 early squashes ; for extra early lettuce, an estimate of sixty 

 to seventy heads should be made to a sash. It is assumed 

 that celery and late cabbages are to be started in seed beds 

 in the open. 



In the fashionable suburbs of Boston " one hotbed 3X6 

 feet was used in which to start the seeds of early vegetables. 

 Plantings were made in the open ground as soon as the 

 weather permitted, and were continued at intervals through- 

 out the season whenever there was a vacant spot in the 

 garden. The following varieties of vegetables, mostly five- 

 and ten-cent packets, were planted : Pole and wax beans, 



