i 26 THE SMALL COUNTRY PLACE 



it into the surface close to the roots, and in our garden 

 work we may gain much by following their methods. If 

 during any part of the season our crops are not growing 

 as we would have them, a little nitrate of soda, poultry 

 dropping, or other quickly soluble fertilizer, scattered 

 close up to the rows and worked in with the rake or 

 hand-cultivator, will cause a great improvement. These 

 fertilizers, however, should not be applied late in the 

 season, as they might cause late and immature growth, 

 like unripe onions, coarse squashes, etc. 



Cold Frames and Hot- Beds. 



While these structures are more or less used in all 

 kinds of garden work, they are especially useful in the 

 family garden. When properly made and skilfully 

 managed a very small area covered with glass may be 

 made to produce a large amount of garden produce 

 out of season and extend the season of supply at both 

 ends (Fig. 77). 



For the best results preparation should be made in 

 the fall by excavating a space from one to two feet deep, 

 six feet wide, and the length of the number of sash to be 

 used, especially at the North, where the ground freezes 

 deeply. This space is filled with leaves, and when it is 

 desired to start the beds in the spring the frames are 

 adjusted and the sash, mats and shutters put on. After 

 the bed is well warmed up by the sun's heat, the leaves 

 are thrown out and heating manure put in their place. 

 The manure for heating should be fresh and unfer- 

 mented and be thrown into a large rounded pile in a 

 cellar or shed, where it freezes very little or not at all. 

 When well warmed up, and steaming vigorously, the 

 pile is thrown over and thoroughly mixed and left to 

 heat again. When this gets decidedly hot it is put into 

 the hot-bed from six inches to two feet deep, according 



