Chapter II 



HOTBEDS AND COLDFRAMES 



Seeds, like mankind, are able to sleep zvell and get up 

 early, if they have a good bed. — Tim. 



OTBEDS should be located 

 near an outbuilding which 

 can be warmed and used for 

 transplanting work. It is 

 also an advantage to have 

 them near the water supply, 

 unless the water is piped to 

 the beds. A southern aspect 

 is desirable and the frames should run east and west, 

 with the glass sloping to the south, says R. L. Watts. 



The pit for the hotbed should be dug in the fall 

 before the ground is . frozen. It is not necessary in 

 Pennsylvania to excavate to a greater depth than 

 about two feet four inches. The pit should be six 

 feet wide and long enough to accommodate the num- 

 ber of sash to be used. It should be lined with heavy 

 boards, preferably chestnut, nailed to chestnut or 

 locust stakes. If the ground is level, the frame 

 should extend twelve inches above the surface of the 

 soil on the upper side 

 and six inches on the 

 lower side. This will 

 provide for the proper 

 drainage of water from 

 the sash. In making the 

 frame, it is best to have 

 two or three sash at sectional view of hotbed 



