Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-03-27
THE

Within a few years, since horticulture
has begun to take its proper place, not
only as a science but as a part of the bu-
siness of evcry farmer, although it is yet
very far from being fully appreciated,)
hot-beds have been introduced as the
best means, not only of furnishing a sup
ply of early vegetables for the table, but
also of starting such as it is desirable to
have planted out as early as is consistent
with safety from our late spring frosts.
Ofthis class are cabbages, tomatoes, and
indeed if well managed, and not brought
forward so early as to require planting out
before the temperature ofthe earth and air
is fit for the purpose, almost every veget-
able usually grown in the garden. indie
pendent of the value that may be attach
ed to hot-heds as forwarding vegetables
for the table, the manure used for the
bed when mixed with the earth that is
always put upon it, forms an excellent
and thoroughly rotted manure or compost
for the garden, free from weeds and in
sects, the seeds and eggs of which have
been destroyed by the process of fermen-
tation and heating, the mass is obliged to
undergo. 1t will be remembered that we
are not now writing for the scientific
gardener or horticulturist, but for the far
mer; and in describing a hot-bed it must
be one, both in its cost and construction,
within the reach oflimited skill and means.
We, therefore, gladly avail ourselves of
the following descriptions furnished by a
friend, of one erected by himself, and
which we know answered every end OK
pccted from such constructions.
"MEssns. EDIroRs.-Thc size Of the
hot-bed must Of course be determined by
the number and size of the sash to be used
in covering it, or by the quantity of carly
vegetables which it is desirable to grow in
it. 1t may be made with three or five
sashcs, and of any desired width but as
a general rule it should not be wider
than will admit ofeasily reaching the mid
die fthc bed from the sides when the
sash is removed. | made me one last
year of three sashcs which answered an
excellent purpose, and which in some
respects differed from any l have else
where seen. The expense, exclusive OF
the sash, was a mere triile, and | think
| every farmer who constructs one, should
1t succeed as well as did mine, will, the
first year of its use, feel himself well re-
wardcd for his pains.
The glass hat l used was the common
sever by nine, and the sash, from outside
to outside, was II feet by 3 feet. There
are no cross bars to the sash, as in window
sash, but the glass is laid in the sash lap
ping on each other about half an inch in
the manner of shingles, that the rain may
run over their sloping surface readily.
The bars of the sash should be made at
least one and a half inch, and if three
inches they will be none the worse, as a
greater length and of course capacity will
be given the bed, at a slight addition OF
expense. BY making my sash wider than
common, l thus gained nearly two feet in
length of hot-bcd, a space sufficient to
grow lettuce or radishes enough for a small
family, and the sash Is besides stronger
and better every way. The sash receiv-
cd six panes of glass in length.
My hot-bed receptacle or frame, | made
as follows / constructed a box of boards
three feet high in front or the side facing
the south, and three feet ten inches on the
back or northern sides. Pieces of scant'
ling, placed in the corners, served to mai
the boards upon, and fiat stones or block
were placed under the corners for it tt
rest on. On the top of this box four mar