Vegetable Growing in Colorado. 
37 
two-inch plank, but make them of the same dimensions otherwise. 
An excavation is often made somewhat wider and longer than the 
ordinary dimensions of the bed and the heating material put in. 
The boards forming the walls are then set on top of the manure. 
By this plan the heating material extends somewhat beyond the 
edges of the bed and there is less danger of the temperature falling 
too low. Glass sash or muslin may be used for covering. The 
board walls of the hotbed are easily removed after they have served 
their purpose and the ground may be cultivated as desired. 
Another plan that is often followed in making a temporary 
hotbed is to place the heating material on top of the ground instead 
of in an excavation. The pile of manure is made somewhat wider 
and longer than the frame which is set directly on top. Manure may 
also be banked up around the boards in order to further protect the 
bed from cold; a layer of soil is put over the heating material and 
the hotbed is ready for planting. The frames may be removed 
after they have served their purpose and the rotted manure re¬ 
moved scattered or plowed into the soil. 
Sowing the Seeds .—The manure will ordinarily heat very vig¬ 
orously for a few days after being put into the bed and the tem¬ 
perature may go up to 130° to 140° F. Soil thermometers should 
be thrust through the earth to the manure and the frame kept 
tightly closed with sash. After a few days the temperature will 
begin to decline. When it has declined to 90° the seed may be 
planted. The soil should be loosened before planting and the rows 
made four to six inches apart, usually crosswise the bed. 
Covering for Hot Beds .—The most common covering for hot¬ 
beds in the ord.nary glass sash 3x6 feet. The sash cost, glazed, about 
$1.75 to $2.00 each. In addition to the glass sash, straw mats or 
some such covering is necessary during very cold weather. These can 
be bought for 50 cents to $1.00 per sash, or straw, or home-made 
covers can be used instead. A very good cover can be made by 
stuffing old sacks (not too full) with straw. In addition to mats 
it is well to bank manure or soil up around the walls of the bed to 
help keep out the cold. 
A covering' which is used on hotbeds considerably instead of 
glass after the middle of March is made by dipping muslin in lin¬ 
seed oil and letting it dry. The muslin is then tacked to light 
frames and makes a very serviceable covering in weather that is 
not too cold. The linseed oil makes it more impervious to moisture 
and semi-transparent. 
Care of the hotbed .—In the management of the hotbed there 
are two things which must be given especial care. They are water- 
