148 GARDEN PROFITS 



The strawberries want a warmer, sunny location, 

 but in small-scale gardening, can be grown between 

 the rows of bush fruits or dwarfs. This inter- 

 planting will, however, need increased manuring, 

 since we are doubling the call on the supply of plant 

 food from a single area. 



FEBRUARY 



Hotbeds. February is the month of hotbeds — 

 the time to build them and to find them most useful. 

 I need not enlarge on the reasons for having a hot- 

 bed; they are clearly illustrated in the early ma- 

 turity, size and perfection of vegetables started 

 under glass. Under our new scheme of intensifying 

 results, the hotbed assumes an even greater impor- 

 tance than formerly, so you must certainly plan 

 for one or more. Complete hotbed directions are 

 included in Chapter IV. 



The Growing Plants. During this month, keep 

 the seedling cabbages, cauliflowers and lettuce 

 (if you planted any in January) moist and pro- 

 tected from cold. As soon as they become at all 

 crowded, you will have a chance to use your hot- 

 bed. If it is not ready, you will have to make more 

 flats, for the seedlings, when about an inch high, 

 must be transplanted. Set them two or three 

 inches apart each way, making a hole in the fine, 

 levelled soil with a small stick or pencil and pinch- 

 ing the earth firmly about the plant. This trans- 

 planting will probably take care of the plants till 

 they can be set in the ground. If the season is 

 late, it may be necessary to shift the cabbage once 

 more into the beds as is described above in the 



