Handling of Beds 



359 



The objects to be sought, so far as the plants are con- 

 cerned, are specimens (1) ready at the required season; 

 (2) stocky; and (3) that have made a continuous healthy 

 growth. 



The dangers to avoid are (1) the chilling of the plants; 

 (2) too hot and close atmosphere, which tends to make 

 the plants soft; (3) crowding, which tends to make the 

 plants weak and spindling; (4) growing plants too far 

 from the light, which also tends to make them soft and 

 weak; (5) the scalding of the plants by the sun, an 

 injury very likely to occur when the sun comes out 

 after a long " spelP' of dark or cold weather; (6) the 

 wilting of the plants, due to too great heat and too little 

 moisture. 



Translated into the actual management of a hotbed, 

 these objects may be grouped as follows: (1) maintain- 

 ing the heat; (2) watering; (3) ventilating; (4) harden- 

 ing-off. 



Above all things, the plant should be stocky (and 

 healthy) when put in the field. A stocky plant is com- 

 paratively short and thick, able to stand alone, and has a 

 normal bright green color throughout. Plants not stocky 

 are said to be " leggy " or " drawn," since their general 

 tendency is to grow too long and weak for their bulk. A 

 stocky plant, however, may be stunted. The perfect plant 

 is both stocky and freshly vigorous. 



The maintenance of the heat in the ordinary hotbed de- 

 pends primarily on the quality and the amount of manure ; 

 but one can do something by subsequent management to 

 maintain it. Heat will ordinarily fail sooner if the hotbed 

 is above the ground and much exposed to winds. It may 



