Propagation 73 



Other types of hotheds. 



In the absence of stable manure and when the size 

 of the bed is not enough to justify the installation of 

 one of the more elaborate heating systems just dis- 

 cussed, other simpler heat-producing materials may be 

 employed. A moderate hotbed may be heated by means 

 of oak leaves, damp with fresh lime sprinkled through 

 them as they are packed in the excavation (which should 

 be at least 2 feet deep) under the frame. Such beds 

 will produce moderate heat and will hold it longer than 

 stable manure. An ordinary cotton cloth may be used 

 for a cover. Many growers use no cloth or glass, but 

 often cover thickly with pine straw, raking it ofF on 

 warm sunny days and covering again at night. Pine 

 straw and mold have been used for bottom-heat but 

 they are of practically no value. 



Bedding. 



In regions as far north as ]^ew Jersey and New York, 

 bedding is not ordinarily done before April 1st to 10th, 

 while in the lower South the seed may be bedded in 

 early March. A bed 100 feet long and 6 feet wide 

 should furnish enough plants to set six acres at the 

 first drawing and enough for three acres more ten days 

 later. It will require about 35 bushels of average seed 

 for a bed this size. The sand in the bed should be at a 

 temperature of about 85 degrees F. at the time of bed- 

 ding, and should be allowed to drop slowly to YO degrees 

 F. A minimum temperature of 60 degrees F. should 

 be maintained during the entire bedding season. The 

 seed should be handled carefully and not allowed to 



