78 



COLE'S GARDEN ANNUAL. 



Hints on go wing geecls, "fi'^nspianting,^ 

 and faking Hotbeds, gtc. 



SOWING THE SEED AND PREPARING THE SOIL. 



These are very important matte'-s; and care should be taken to have your se^ed bed finely raktd, 

 una free frona all rubbWi ayid lamps an 1 well enrlohed with well-rotted manure, and also not tc- 

 sow seed too early, or in other words, noAl Vae noil becomes mfflci&ntly warm asul dry, so that it will 

 woric mellow and crumble topieees whon struck with the spade. Do not attempt to raise fine flowers- 

 or good vesjetables ou a poor soil, rilways keep a heap of manure on hand for the next season, 

 whei' it will be thoroughly rotten' ^nd ready for use. If these points are overlooked, and the seed 

 sown too early, it is apt to rot or perish, and consequently involve a loss and sad disappointment on 

 the part of the cultivator, and it is not the fault of the seed or seedsmen, as it is unfortunately laid 

 a great many times. However, in all cases, follow as nearly as possible the directions of eaah 

 variety, as given in the Catalogue, and you will have a marked success. By sowing everything, a» 

 much as possible, in di-ills, instead of broadcast, a great deal of labor will be saved, as all can be kept- 

 clear of weeds by the hoe and hand cultivator. 



COVERING OR MULCHING SEED AFTER SOWING. 



When fine seeds are sown, dry hot weather, and hard beating rains, can soon do much damage to- 

 the tender seedlings, in drying up the tender sprouts, or baking the top of the soil. To mulch with, 

 clippings of grass or some other material till plants are coming up is a good idea. We have used' 

 narro'v strips of thin boards with good success by laying them over the row whore seeds are sown, 

 and when seeds begin to sprout, the boards can be raised a little and something laid under to give- 

 plants air, and tnis is better than to remove boards too suddenly, as it gives plants timeHo harden. 

 When well up, it is best to remove boards in the evening or during cloudy weather. 



THINNING PLANTS 



Is a very important operation. Everything ought to be thinned very early, even in seed leaf, if the 

 plants stand too close. Another thinning may be necessary when they are more advanced, to give 

 them room to grow stalky. A'l plants, when crowded together, run up tall and blender, and never 

 succeed well. 



TRANSPLANTING. 



In transplanting, the main points to be regarded are, care in taking up the plants- so as to avoid 

 Injury to the roots, planting lirmly so as to enable the plant to take a secure hold of the soil, reduc- 

 ing the top to prevent evaporation, and shading to prevent the sun from withering and blighting 

 the leaves. In transplanting from a hot-bed, harden the plants by letting them get quite dry a day 

 or two before, .but give an abundance of water every few liours before they are taken out. It is most 

 apt to be successful if done j ist at evening, or immediately before or during the tlr^t paitof a rain, 

 about the worst time being just after a rain, when the ground being wet it is impossible to sutfl- 

 ciently press it about the pi uit w ihuut its baking hard. If water is used at. all, it should be used 

 freely, and the wet surface immediately covered with dry soil. 



HOT-BEDS. 



The hot-bed is made by forming a pile of horse manure with the straw used for bedding or leavea 

 some three feet in height, and about l:i or 18 inches larger all around than the size of the frame to be 

 used. Slijike all together, so that the straw and manure will be equally mi.xed. Ft may be sunk in 

 the ground a foot or eigliteen inches, or made on the surface. Place the frame on as soon as the bed 

 is made, and iill in with about 5 or inches' of good mjllow soil, keeping the frame clor^eirt for a few 

 days until fermentation takes place and the soil is quite warm. It is better to wait a day or two 

 after this and tlien bow the setvJa. The frame can be constructed by any liandy man at very small 

 experjse. It consi'its of a wooden frame, from 'd to (i feet wide, and from (5 to 115 feet long, according 

 to the supply of vegetables or Dowers required. The back side should be at least (5 inches higher 

 than the front— tlie frame sub-divided by cross-bars and each division covered by a glazed sash. 

 The frame should face t!ie South or Southeast. Prom the time the seed is sown, attctition to airing 

 and shading during the hot part of t he day. and covering up at night, is essential, and also that the 

 soil bo never allowed to get dry. The watering should bs done with a very tine rose watering pot, 

 and with tepid water. The temperature at night may range from 55 to 65 degrees, and during the 

 day from 70 to 80. 



COLD FRAMES. 



A cold frame Is Is so easy in construction and management as to be available to all. This is simply 

 a hot- bed frame with glazed sash, pla'?ed upon a bed of line mellow earth, in some sheltered place 

 In the garden. Af t.er t he frame is secured in its place, a couple of inches of fine earth should be 

 placed Inside, and the frame closed up a -day or two before the seeds are planted. As the cold 

 frame deper)ds npot; the sun for its warmth, it must not be started as soon as the hot-bed, and tn 

 ihis latitude the latter part of April is soon enough. Watering occasionally will be neoessary, an<) 

 ^Ir tiiuwi be given in bright warm days. Sb;ide is also n<^c*^sary. 



