For the Soutliern States. 



19 



cause tlie weeds are then easily killed, and hoeing the ground, 

 will make it retain moisture better than if it were left alone. 



THE HOT BED. 



OAving to the open Winters in the South, hot beds are not so 

 much used as in the North, except to raise such tender plants as 

 Egg-Plants, Tomatoes and Peppers There is little forcing of 

 vegetables done here, except as regards Cucumbers and Lettuce ; 

 and if we do not have any hard frosts the latter does better in the 

 open ground than under glass. To make a hot bed is a very sim- 

 ple thing. Any one who has the use of tools can make the wooden 

 frame ; the sashes may be obtained froui any sash factory. I con- 

 sider a wooden frame from five to six feet wide, and ten feet six 



inches long, a very 



good 



size. It should be at least six inches 



higher at the back than in the front, and covered by three sashes 

 .'3^x5 feet. The manure ought not to be over one month old ; 

 should be thrown togetlier in a heap, and when commencing to 

 heat, be worked over with a fork, and all the long and short ma- 

 nure evenly mixed. In this State the grouod is generally low, 

 and to retain the heat of the manure for a longer time it is best 

 to put the manure on top of the ground — that is, make a bank 

 two feet longer and two wider than the fVame. Keep the edges 

 straight aiul the corners firm when thrown up about eighteen 

 inches, trample the manure down to six or eight inches, then put 

 on another layer of eighteen inches and trample down again ; place 

 thereon the frame and sash and fill in six inches of good earth. 

 After about five days stir the ground to kill the weeds which may 

 have come ux), then sow the seeds. In lower Louisiana the 



