6 
Tell your neighbors about us. It will do us lota of good. We'd do as much for you. Thanks. 
lot of theory. If you have read some of the hooks 
publislied on fjardenlng, you may well lia\ e felt that 
the art was ii (liHiiMilt uiuicrtakiiif;. What we give 
you is the practical directions wliidi we ourselves 
jiave found to be right after years of experience. 
Study the pictures and text on pages four and six 
and the information about liot bods and cold frames. 
As you read, try to imagine the wonderful in- 
terest you would have in making t)ie soil yield its 
abundance for you. It is one of the most fascinat- 
ing things in the world. Then, too. it has that most 
satisfyingly practical aspect of insuring you delicious 
food at the cost of a few pennies, instead of many 
dollars. , f ^ 
Another thing to remember is that . t3ie /honse of 
Condon Bros, is always interested in helping its 
friends and customers and not simply concerned in 
selling them something. You always are sure of 
cordial response if at any time you want to write 
in for special information. So let's get together this 
year and . have that garden growing, to your great 
deliglit and profit. Plan now and get an early start. 
Yours very sincerely, 
CONDON BROS., SEEDSMEN. 
A Cheap and Easy Way to Make Your Own Hot Beds 
Hot beds are generally ■ mnde 6x6 feet in dimen- 
sion, with a pit 2 feet below the surface of the 
ground, well filled with fresh horse maniu'o. The 
standard size hot bed sash most generally used is 
3x6 feet, glazed with 6-inch glass. The size and 
kind of sash does not make any difference with 
your growing plants. (See picture of hot bed where 
a common window sash was used with splendid 
results.) You all have an extra window around the 
place somewhere that is not working and Jiaying 
its own storage. Get it working for you. If you 
will notice the picture you will see part of the 
cross-bars are cut off. This is done so the water 
will run off and not leak through and damage your 
growing plants. StandarcJ hot bed sasli have no 
cross-bars. If you want standard hot bed sash you 
can buy them cheaper from the mills which manu- 
facture them than from any one handling as a 
'side line Only; therefore we are glad to refer you 
J, , to Gordan Van Tine Co., Davenport, Iowa, or the 
Chicago >nilwork Supply Co., Chicago, 111. If you will mention our name when writing them, we are sure 
they will use you right. By all means get your hot bed started this winter. Grow your own cabbage, cauli- 
flower, pepper, egg plant, tomato, celery, asters, pansy, verbena, cosmos, petunia, salvia, and in fact any 
plants desired. If you do not require over a dozen plants yourself, you can sell all you grow at a good 
profit to your neighbors. Think this over; it is worth money to you. 
The Difference Between a Hot Bed and Cold Frame and How to 
Manage Each Profitably 
Home Made, But It Does the Business 
For a hot bed heat is 
secured from a bed of 
fermenting manure set 
in the frame below the 
ground level. The 
plants are grown in soil 
placed to a depth of 
five to eight inches over 
the manure. 
A cold frame consists 
of four boards joined 
together to form a 
frama which is set upon 
the ground and covereO 
with sash. The heat se- 
cured comes from sun- 
light only. 
SOIL 
MANURE 
Hot beds should be 
placed free from walls, 
so there will be space 
on all sides. A location 
facing the south or southeast should be selected, 
protected on the north and west by buildings, 
walls or bushes. Frames should face the south 
and be placed so that no shade will fall upon 
them during the day. It is usual to dig the pit 
about eighteen inches to two feet deep. Fresh 
horse manure containing plenty of straw is most 
desirable for use in the pit, as it gives a quick, 
Intense heat. Before placing it in the ground it is 
best to prolong fermentation as long as possible 
by mixing it thoroughly every 2 or 3 days while 
in the pile. 
Before adding the soil 
the sash should be 
placed over the frame 
for three ol- four days 
while the manure 
reaches a good condi- 
tion. When the soil is 
finally placed in the 
frame to a depth of 
from five to eight 
inches it should be al- 
lowed to remain for 
about four days until 
it becomes warm and 
the weed seeds germi- 
nate. It should then be 
carefully raked and 
pressed down, and your 
hot bed is ready. 
The hot bed should be made about two week.« 
before the seeds are sown. The safth should be 
raised a little every morning for ventilation. To 
retain the heat the sash should be closed at night 
and when it is extremely cold it is best to cover 
the beds with boards or old blankets to prevent 
the plants from becoming chilled. 
Bank the frame above ground with straw, ma- 
nure or other litter, with a little soil thrown over 
to hold in position. 
