VII. 



THE HOT-BED AND COLD-FRAME 



ONE of the first things to be done in spring 

 in the line of gardening operations is the mak- 

 ing of a hot-bed in which to grow plants for 

 transplanting to the garden as soon as the 

 weather will permit. While I would not advise 

 anyone to depend on seedlings grown in the 

 hot-bed for a general crop of any vegetable, I 

 would advise starting a quantity of each kind 

 from which an early crop is desired. Those 

 who would like to grow vegetables for market 

 will find it very important to get them under 

 way early in the season, if they would reap 

 the benefit of good prices. A well-constructed 

 hot-bed, well cared for, will enable the gardener 

 to have vegetables of certain kinds nearly a 

 month earlier than he can hope to have if he 

 depends on the garden for them. 



The location of the hot-bed is a matter of 

 considerable importance. It should be on a soil 

 that has good drainage, in a place well sheltered 



67 



