Maintaining the Heat 



73 



in the field. A stocky plant is one which is com- 

 paratively short and thick, is able to stand alone, and 

 which has a normal bright green color throughout. 

 Plants which are not stocky are said to be ^Ueggy'^ or 

 drawn,'' since their general tendency is to grow too 

 long and weak for their bulk. A stocky plant, however, 

 may be stunted. The ideal plant is one which is both 

 stocky and vigorous. 



The maintenance of the heat in the ordinary hotbed 

 depends 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 also be lessened by careless 

 watering, particularly by soaking the manure. As 

 already said (page 57), manure which is too heavy and 

 concentrated may heat violently, and wetting it may 

 tend to cool it to the point at which plants can grow; 

 but a better way is to mix leaves or other litter with 

 the manure, thereby preventing too rapid fermenta- 

 tion. Not only should the heat from the fermenting 

 manure be maintained, but care should be taken to 

 prevent too much of the heat from escaping. This is 

 an important caution in very cold nights and windy 

 weather, at which time the frame should be protected 

 by mats or other covering. A cold and wet soil also 

 tends to lessen the heat in the hotbed. For this 

 reason, hotbeds should always be placed in a sandy or 

 gravelly place, if possible ; or if not, the greatest 

 precaution should be taken to insure perfect drainage. 

 Watering should be done with caution. Careless 



