CHAPTER II 



AN ECONOMICAL SUPPLY OF FRESH VEGETABLES 



IN providing a long supply of early vegetables it is im- 

 possible to dispense with glass, and difficult to do without 

 hotbeds. Some kinds can be hastened without hotbeds, 

 e.g. Cauliflowers, Potatoes and Carrots, the mere pro- 

 tection of glass serving to bring them into yield at a 

 period appreciably earlier than they could be had out of 

 doors ; but in a complete and comprehensive system of 

 forcing, hotbeds will play an important part. 



The vegetable-grower need not confine himself to 

 manure alone, the heat of which, fierce at first, tends to 

 decline quickly ; he may with advantage bring fallen 

 leaves into play. A mass of leaves engenders heat, mild, 

 it is true, but lasting. The happy medium is secured by 

 building up the beds with both manure and leaves, for 

 thus a steady and lasting heat is secured ; but leaves 

 should predominate. When autumn comes part can be 

 removed for use in composts and fresh added to main- 

 tain the heat. 



The site has a great bearing on the period of cropping. 

 If exposed to cold winds or shaded by trees the crops 

 will be much later than from beds which are sheltered 

 from tempests and in full sunshine. The frames should 

 slope to the south, so that the glass may get the benefit 

 of every ray of sunlight. Ordinary frames are made 

 higher at the back than the front, so that they give a. 



368, 



