72 The Principles of Vegetable- Gardening 



area work, because they require too much time in the 

 tending, being scattered over much territory. Neither 

 do they have much advantage of protection from 

 windbreaks, and, containing a less body of air, they 

 do not give as early results as well-made coldframes. 



5. THE MANAGEMENT OF FRAMES 



Only by experience can one learn how to manage a 

 hotbed. There are a few principles and cautions, how- 

 ever, which may enable one to arrive at this knowledge 

 sooner and with less loss than by blind experience 

 alone. The things to be sought, so far as the plants 

 are concerned, are specimens (1) which are ready at 

 the required season, (2) which are stocky, and (3) 

 which have made a continuous healthy growth. The 

 things to avoid are (1) the chilling of the plants; 

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

 the plants soft; (3) crowding of the plants, which 

 tends to make them 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 which is very likely to occur 

 when the sun comes out after a long spell'' 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) main- 

 taining the heat; (2) watering; (3) ventilating; (4) 

 hardening - off ; (5) transplanting. Above all things, 

 the plant should be stocky when it is to be put 



