130 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



inches higher than the front, so that the sashes slope to 

 the sun. It is customary to have a space of 6 to 10 inches 

 between the earth and the sash on the lower or front side. 

 The manure which is used to heat the bed 

 may be placed on top of the ground and the 

 frame set on the pile, or it may be placed 

 in a pit. tf the land is warm and well drained, 

 it is ordinarily better to have a pit from 1 to 

 2 feet deep and to set the frame over it. This 

 is especially the case if it is desired to have a permanent 

 Hotbed yard. The place in which the frames are set should 

 be protected from the cold and prevailing winds by a rising 

 slope, a high board fence, a building, hedge, or other ob- 

 struction. If the frame yard is near the main buildings, 

 it will be much more accessible in rainy or snowy times, 

 and the plants are likely to have better care. Water should 

 also be handy. 



The time of starting a Hotbed will depend upon the 

 kinds of plants to be grown, the amount of time which one 

 wishes to gain, and something, also, on the quality of the 

 manure. The hardier the plant the earlier it can be started. 

 In the latitude of New York, from the first to the middle of 

 March is the usual time for starting a Hotbed. In this bed are 

 sown seeds of early flowers and such vegetables as cabbage, 

 cauliflower, tomato, etc. In the raising of any plants in the 

 Hotbed, it is very essential that they do not become " drawn " 

 or "leggy." In order to prevent this, they must be given 

 plenty of room, thorough ventilation on all pleasant days, 

 and not too great heat. It is well to transplant them once 

 or twice before they are finally set in the field, especially if 

 they are started, in New York, as early as the first or middle 

 of March. When they are transplanted, they can be set in 

 another Hotbed or in a coldframe ; but it is important that 

 the succeeding frames ir which they are set should not be 

 very much colder than the one in which they grew, else they 

 may become stunted. It is well, however, to transplant 



