Hotbeds and Cold Frames 
7 
Hotbed or “plunging” thermometers are made for determining the 
temperatures. In use they are thrust thru the soil into the manure and 
left until the correct reading is obtained. 
The seed should be planted in rows 3 or 4 inches apart. When 
the plants begin to crowd, they should be thinned or transplanted. 
Radishes and lettuce may be planted the latter part of January 
or early in February; early cabbage, late in February; tomatoes and 
cauliflower the first week in March; eggplants, peppers, cucumbers 
and melons about the middle of March. The hotbed should be made, 
that is, the manure put in, a week to ten days before seeding time. 
Plants are sometimes grown in hotbeds in shallow boxes (flats) 
which are set on the soil. In such cases, only two or three inches of 
soil are necessary. This is also enough when potted plants are grown. 
For this purpose the soil may be replaced by sand. 
Watering 
Hotbeds require very careful attention in watering. Enough 
water must be given to keep the soil moist, yet not to wet the manure 
excessively, as this shortens the heating period and makes the heat un¬ 
even. 
Occasional thoro irrigations are better than frequent light ones. 
The sprinkling can with a rose nozzle is best for applying water. This 
distributes the water more evenly and does not wash the soil as does a 
hose. Water in the morning when there is bright sunlight. Watering 
late in the afternoon lowers the temperature at a most critical time and 
should never be done. 
Ventilation 
Unless proper ventilation is given, the plants are likely to die from 
over-heating. Whenever drops of water collect on the inside of the 
glass, the sashes must be raised to admit air. In very cold weather it 
may be necessary only to raise the sashes and lower them almost im¬ 
mediately. As a rule, they may be left raised somewhat during the 
Warm part of the day. Hot, moist air is favorable to “damping off” 
(the worst hotbed disease) and one must be careful to avoid this by 
giving sufficient ventilation. 
CONSTRUCTION OF COLD FRAMES 
Cold frames are built essentially the same as hotbeds, and, like 
them, are temporary or permanent. 
Permanent cold frames are built the same as permanent pit hot¬ 
beds, making the pit of the depth required for the particular use to 
which it is to be put. 
