78 



VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE 

 BUILDING AND CARE OF HOTBEDS AND GREENHOUSES. 



The Sash for Hotbeds or Cold Frames should be about 3x6 

 feet or 4x4 1/^ feet in size; the glass free from blisters, of double 

 strength and lapped not more than one-fourth of an inch. If 

 lapped more than this water is liable to freeze the laps and crack 

 the glass, and dirt will collect largely between the glass. It 

 should be bedded in putty and nailed in, not puttied in. Common 

 window sash might be used for the purpose in a small way and 

 temporarily, but it is not strong enough to last well and besides 

 as the sash bars run both ways and project beyond the glass 

 the rain water cannot run off, but soaks the wood and leaks 

 through into the hotbed, making it too wet in places. Also, the 

 cross bars in common window sash make a needless extra 

 shadow that is objectionable. Regular hotbed sash is made with 

 sash bars running only one way so that the water falling on it 

 runs off easily and quickly. Hotbed sash can be bought of sash 

 manufacturers or may be made at home by any person having a 

 fair amount of mechanical ingenuity. 



Shutters are desirable for covering the glass of hotbeds and 

 cold frames. They are generally made of second fencing, match- 

 ed and dressed, and in size of the same width as the sash but 

 about six inches longer with a six-inch cleat on each end. 



The Mats are often made of straw, but cloth and burlap 

 mats are sometimes used. Straw mats are probably as good as 

 any kind and are easily made as follows Make a frame of 

 2x4 inch lumber the size of the mats desired; four feet wide and 

 one foot longer than the sash is a convenient size. Stand this 

 frame up against a wall and tightly stretch four or five tarred 

 strings eight to ten inches apart from top to bottom so as to 

 evenly divide the four feet of width. Have as many balls of 

 lighter tarred strings as there are strings fastened to the frame 

 and fasten one to each upright string at the bottom. Commence 

 at the lower end by laying a wisp of straw, cut ends out, on the 

 string at the bottom and fasten it there by twisting each of the 

 smaller strings once around the straw and the upright strings. 

 Next put on another wisp of straw and so continue until the 

 frame is covered. Mats thus made are an admirable protection 



