CONSTRUCTION AND CARE OF HOTBEDS 



soil, by making a tiny depression in the soil be- 

 side them with the point of a pencil to receive them, 

 they are quite likely to perish. For this reason it 

 is necessary to keep a close watch on the seedlings 

 during the period of germination. The same end 

 may be accomplished by sifting a little fine sandy 

 soil over the seeds when they begin to germinate. 



It is doubtful if any portion of the summer 

 gardening is of greater interest than this watch- 

 ing of the breaking of the earth crust and the ap- 

 pearance of the tiny, tender green heads, and if 

 good seed has been used and the planting care- 

 fully done, each square will present a mosaic of 

 vigorous growth from the start. 



The hotbed must not be neglected during these 

 early days of growth, as sudden changes of weather 

 may cause untold disaster. The temperature in a 

 closed bed, under the influence of a bright sun, 

 rises rapidly and the beds dry out with amazing 

 frequency, and it will be necessary to admit air 

 and exclude, to some extent, the sun by placing 

 papers over the glass and raising the sash a trifle 

 for the escape of the surplus heat. If, however, 

 there is also a wind, it will be necessary to guard 

 the opening on the windward side by a bit of rug 



[67] 



