S0LANACE0U8 CROP PROJECTS 55 



This must be carefully regulated by intelligent watering. If the 

 soil was thoroughly watered after the seeds were sown, and cov- 

 ered with paper or burlap, little, if any, additional water will 

 be needed until the plants are up, when the cover must be removed. 

 Then the policy should be merely to keep the soil moist. Over- 

 watering is always dangerous and should be carefully guarded 

 against, for a surplus of water, especially if the temperature is a 

 little high, is certain to result in weak, spindling plants. At the 

 same time, we should guard against merely wetting the surface of 

 the ground at frequent intervals. The boxes or beds should be 

 looked after daily and water supplied in such amounts as may be 

 indicated by the soil itself and also by the size and color of the 

 plants — a light green color showing that too much water has 

 been used. When paper pots are used, special care should be taken 

 to avoid overwatering. It is always preferable to water in the 

 morning when the temperature of the hotbed is rising, rather than 

 in the evening when it is falling. 



A temperature of about 70 degrees during the day and 10 to 

 15 degrees lower at night is suitable for the growing of early to- 

 mato plants. If there is bright sunshine, the temperature may 

 rise considerably above 70 degrees, but no harm will be caused if 

 the frame is properly ventilated. 



Good judgment should be exercised in ventilating the hotbed 

 and cold frame. Too much ventilation is just as objectionable 

 as too little. The grower should observe the thermometer at 

 frequent intervals and the frame should be opened in such a way 

 as to avoid cold drafts of air on the plants. 



Straw mats or other devices for covering the sash at night will 

 be required to protect the plants. They should be placed on the 

 sash before dark and removed early in the morning. However, 

 the use of the mats should be regulated entirely by weather con- 

 ditions. There are extremely cold days in the North when the 

 mats should not be removed at all. 



