222 MAKING AND CARE OF HOTBEDS 



keep all snug and warm until the seedlings appear, when 

 the sashes should be tilted up during the day to admit 

 fresh air freely and make the plants sturdy. As the 

 seedlings wax in strength, remove the sash both day and 

 night, in fine weather, but replace it as a protection 

 against wet, muggy or cold weather. As soon as the 

 plants are big enough, transplant them into the open 

 garden. 



In sowing in a cold frame, carefully observe that the 

 kinds of plants are of somewhat the same nature, 

 strength and time of germinating. When this is not the 

 case, or there is any uncertainty about it, better sow in 

 pots, pans or flats, and set these close together in the 

 frame; as the seedlings appear in the pots or flats, re- 

 move these to the lightest, sunniest place in the frame, 

 and the ungerminated ones keep by themselves. After- 

 wards as regards transplanting, treat as directed above 

 in the manner of seed sown in the frame. 



A hotbed is a cold frame placed upon a quantity of 

 fermenting manure. The hotbed is usually made ready 

 in February or March. In the preparation of the manure 

 it is best to collect the requisite amount from the horse 

 stable, and make it into a compact heap, watering it if 

 dry. In a few days active fermentation will be in prog- 

 ress, when the heap should be turned, watering again if 

 necessary, shaking out the lumps. The aim is to induce 

 an active and uniform fermentation of the whole mass, 

 and to have it continue for some time after the soil is 

 placed on it. 



Select a well-drained spot, and make the pile of manure 

 eight or nine feet wide by whatever length is necessary, 

 with a depth of fifteen to eighteen inches ; or a foot of 

 soil may be dug out and filled in with manure, well 

 tramped down. Place the frame on it. Then put three 

 or four inches of good soil uniformly over the surface. 



