66 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Feb. 



at proper distances for the sashes to slide on, with 

 a narrower one in the middle for a guide. These 

 will accommodate four sashes of proper propor- 

 tions for glass eight inches wide, which should be 

 inserted in grooves, rather than by the old method 

 of puttying, as putty soon crumbles with such 

 severe exposure. 



We Mill now suppose the manure is ready to 

 move, and the time almost the first of April, long 

 before it would be safe to put seeds in the ground, 

 and when but little else can be done outside. 

 Now we measure a space 12X7 feet (to give a 

 projection of a foot all round outside the frame,) 

 on a spot well sheltered from cold Avinds and open 

 to the sun. Commence by setting boards on edge 

 secured by stakes, and fill in first with a layer of 

 straw, leaves or other similar material, and then a 

 layer of manure, beating it down with the fork, 

 but not treading it hard. Thus continue until you 

 have used sufficient litter to make it, with the ma- 

 nure, about two feet high. Put on the frame, cover 

 the outside bank with boards laid flat, fill in with 

 about four inches of tan, put on the sashes, and 

 while the heat is getting up, we will get ready our 

 seeds, Sec, and prepare materials for potting. 



Here, again, is an outlay of cash for pots, but 

 we won't regard that when we see how useful Ave 

 make them before summer is gone. We shall 

 want some bits of charcoal for drainage, from 

 which we can sift the dust to mix in the soil for 

 potting. We last fall secured some excellent peat, 

 laid up a little loam, and saved a remnant of the 

 old hot-bed, (if we had one.) These, in equal 

 parts, with a generous sprinkling of the coal dust, 

 make a good soil for present purposes. 



In about a week after the bed is made, the heat 

 will be up, as Ave may find by thrusting a sharp 

 stick into it, and Ave may noAV begin to soav in pots, 

 seeds of such plants as are of sIoav groAvth, or Avill 

 soonest bear turning out. A little practice Avill 

 teach us Avhen is the best time to start Avith the 

 various kinds. Plunge the pots to the rim in the 

 tan, and the bottom heat Avill do its "perfect 

 Avork." We see that by having the seeds in our 

 poAver, Ave can control heat and moisture at pleas- 

 ure, and Avill scarcely make a failure, luiless some 

 careless person leaves the glass on too long during 

 hot sunshine, Avhile the "husbandman" works. 

 Here, too, Ave Avill start such summer bulbs and 

 tubers^s require a season longer than ours, and of 

 others, a few, to secure a longer season of bloom. 

 Soon Ave begin to "prick out" the young plants, 

 and "pot oft " and "shift," so that our good time 

 has come indeed. Who that has no hot-bed of 

 his OAvn, does not envy vis our pleasure, and that 

 too for Avceks before he can hope to start on his 

 OAvn hook ? 



To watch carefully to prevent burning, to Avater 

 as may be necessary, to give air to prevent damp- 

 ing ofl", and to close before nightfall, covering Avith 

 mats, are amongst our cares, until uoav the ground 

 is Avarm enough to begin to "turn out," so out 

 they go. Ordinary transplanting requires much 

 care even in cloudy, or rainy Aveather, Avhich can- 

 not always be had at Avill ; but wc can snap our 

 fingers at the Aveather, for Ave disturl) no little 

 spongioles in the operation. If the sun is too hot 

 for them, invert the pots over them, but remove 

 them again before the dew falls. This is another 

 use for the ])ot. A third use is in irrigation, Avhich 

 is done in this Avise, and is, by the Avay, the only 



proper mode for the floAver-garden. Set the pot 

 right side up close by the plant, and press it firmly 

 doAvn so as to fill the hole at the bottom Avith 

 earth, then fill Avith Avater, Avhich Avill ooze so sIoav- 

 ly through as to be readily drunk by the earth, 

 thus avoiding a j^uddle, Avhich, on subsiding, leaves 

 a crust to shut out air and light. Refilling once 

 or tAvice Avill overcome the severest drought. Wash 

 the foHage Avith a syringe, if you Avill, but never 

 pour Avatcr faster than a gentle shoAver gives it, if 

 you Avould not injure your plants. We retain in 

 the bed such plants as Ave Avish to keep together 

 in pots, or plant it Avith vines, or use it as Ave Avill 

 until "pay daj'," Avhen Ave take out and save the 

 tan, and also a little of the rotted manure, Avhich 

 noAv I'esembles in appearance a mixture of the best 

 of loam and peat. The sashes and frame Avere 

 housed long since, and Ave "pay off'," by giving to 

 our shrubs, herbaceous perennials, bulbs, Sec, 

 each its share of the "fatness" to protect it through 

 the long Avinter, and Avhen raked doAvn in the 

 spring, and forked in, to nourish it in its future 

 groAvth. This Avhole system is recommended for 

 its simplicity, and the ease and lightness of its op- 

 erations. After the bed is once made, the AA-hole 

 Avork may be carried through, to planting out, by 

 the most delicate ladies, or young children, even, 

 Avith a little direction from the more experienced, 

 It also enables us to take the advantage of time, and 

 avoid the great haste otherwise consequent upon 

 the commencement of gardening operations, thus 

 accomplishing more Avithin the season, Avith more 

 leisnre Avherein to enjoy the fruits of our labor. 



Remarks. — Our correspondent is enthusiastic, 

 and Ave relish it greatly. We like enthusiastic 

 people. We could almost forgive a scamp for 

 fleecing us, if he did it Avith a Avill, as though he 

 found pleasure in it. But a see-saAv, poke-and- 

 go sort of a person, one Avho never sang, 



"Git out of the way, ole Dan Tucker," 

 reminds us of an excellent horse Ave haA^e — excel- 

 lent in every thing but one — he insists upon going 

 to sleep in the harness, and tumbling doAvn Avith us 

 occasionally ! But Ave only meant to say that the 

 uses of a hot-bed, so enthusiastically described, 

 are just as valuable in starting our tomatoes, rad- 

 ishes, cucumbers, peppers, egg plants, &:c, as they 

 are for floAvers. The small hot-bed Avhich is illus- 

 trated, has its sides constructed of masonry, and 

 is more substantial and costly than is necessary 

 for the use of a common farmer, or single family. 



The Iron Rule. — Never borroAv a paper, book, 

 umbrella, horse, cart, plow, shovel, spade, pickax, 

 chain, or anything else Avhatever, if you can pos- 

 sibly do Avithout it, nor then either unless Avith 

 consent of the owner. 



The Silver Rule. — Not only use the article 

 borroAved as carefully as if it Avere your own, but 

 more so, for it is not your oAvn, — nor retain it be- 

 yond the time agreed to, Avithout the OAvner's ver- 

 bal consent. 



The Golden Rule. — As soon as you have done 

 using the thing borrowed, return it Avith thanks, 

 and be ready to return the favor. 



