CHAPTER III 

 HOT BEDS 



28. Uses. Hot beds are used to start plants ahead of 

 season, thereby enabling the grower to mature such crops 

 as tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, and many others 

 earlier than their normal period of maturity. They are 

 also used to grow such crops as radishes, lettuce, and green 

 onions for marketing. 



Hot beds are often used for protection, either in the 

 spring or fall. Plants may be planted in a hot bed in the 

 spring and allowed to remain in them until the danger of 

 frost is passed, when the beds are removed; or the hot beds 

 may be used in the fall for maturing crops after the frosts 

 begin. 



29. Location. The hot beds should be constructed on 

 a well drained piece of ground with a south or southeast 

 exposure. The beds should be protected against cold winds. 

 This may be done by taking advantage of natural wind 

 breaks, such as hedges, board fences, or buildings. A tem- 

 porary protection may be afforded by erecting frames and 

 putting hot bed mats on them. 



30. Means of Heating. Hot beds are usually heated 

 by fermenting manure, although steam or hot water are 

 sometimes employed as sources of heat. The coils of pipe 

 are hung on the frames, and pipes incased in tile are buried 

 in the soil. The tile prevents too rapid drying out of the soil. 



Hot air is used for heating hot beds by constructing a 

 furnace outside and at the end of the hot bed, and burying 



19 



