84 



HOTBEDS, COLDFRAMES, AND FLOWER PITS 



and supporting it with two sticks at the corners of the sash. When 

 the weather becomes very warm, the sash may be removed en- 

 tirely during the day. 



Ventilation not only controls the temperature of the bed but 

 also supplies the necessary fresh air and helps keep surplus water 

 vapor from accumulating inside. Too much heat and too much 

 water vapor is certain to cause damage to the plants. Damping- 

 off fungus is a common trouble in hotbeds and poor ventilation is 

 apt to help start it. 



Watering. — As the plants are growing under the cover, water- 



A three-sash hotbed ready for use. (Kentucky Station). 



ing is a matter which must be given close attention. If too much 

 water is applied, the soil will become soggy and the plants will turn 

 yellow and suffer for want of air in the soil. If the bed is properly 

 ventilated, considerable watering is necessary because the heat of 

 the bed will dry out the soil. If the bed is filled with water, the 

 manure underneath may stop heating. Light applications of water 

 nearly every day is the best plan with the hotbed. 



The Hotbed Becomes a Coldframe. — After some weeks the 

 manure in the hotbed will fail to give out heat because the rotting 

 is advanced so much. In this condition it may be considered merely 

 a coldframe as it gets its heat only from the sun through the glass. 



