104 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
notably the tomato, produce larger crops when started 
under glass. (8) As the vegetables will be harvested 
considerably earlier, there may be time to start a cover 
crop. This is of great advantage in soils lacking humus. 
153. The extent used. — Before greenhouses became so 
popular as they are today, hotbeds were universally em- 
ployed whenever glass was required to start early plants. 
Although hotbeds, in many cases, have been replaced 
by greenhouses, they are still used extensively by grow- 
ers in all parts of the country. Almost every farm 
home operates a hotbed in the spring. This structure is 
of great importance to village gardeners who pride them- 
selves upon the earliness of their products. Many renters 
also depend upon hotbeds, because they may be forced to 
vacate the property upon short notice and are naturally 
unwilling to spend much money in constructing perma- 
nent greenhouses. Hotbeds are inexpensive, and the 
amount of space devoted to them may be increased from 
year to year without much outlay. In addition, they do 
not require attention at night, as do the furnaces of green- 
houses. On the other hand, hotbeds are inferior to 
greenhouses in every particular, although with skillful 
management they produce excellent results. 
154. Location and arrangement.— Hotbeds should be 
located so that a liberal supply of water is accessible. 
The most convenient plan so far as water is concerned 
is to install the overhead system of irrigation (122) and 
also to make provision for hose connections. Spigots, 
with underground cut-offs, should be placed between the 
frames, at intervals not exceeding 100 feet. 
The hotbeds should also be convenient to the farm 
buildings, and to a room which can be made warm and 
comfortable for the work of sowing and transplanting. 
The frames require frequent attention some days, and a 
convenient location is important for this reason. 
Protection from severe north and west winds is a great 
