Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-02-06

uor.nEp fRAmEs--cET THEN
READY.
There are some Injuries which
every farmer ought to enjoy, and
which they can If they win. Du-
ring a visit to notwithstanding,
Mrs. John Starkweather showed
us hot bed and frame, which
she had managed herself, and de-
rived q great deal Of satisfaction
from its productions, and her ex-
perience was such that We think
others may we'll try it, getting
their minor "halls' to prepare the
bed and make the frame. The
frame itself was made Of common
inch stuff, nailed together. the
long way being about ten feet, and
the width about four or five feet.
This frame was not covered with
glass, but instead the sash was a
rough frame, on which was stretch
ed common coarse cotton CLOTH
During the coolest weather, and
at night, this had q further protec-
ton Of old mating or carpet
Under such d frame were grown
radishes, lettuce, onions, and young
cabbage plants. Tomato plants,
cucumbers, and melons were STAR
ted SO that they we're fit for use
at least six weeks or two months
before those grown in the open
ground.
The making of a hot bed is a
simple operation, which need not
take any one over half a day, at
a time when other work is light.
aud there is plenty Of leisure; and
when there are young persons in
the family, it is an employment
which may be made usefuI,instruc-
tive and agreeable, as we hope to
prove by and by. We refer to it
at this time, merely because during
this month the frames may be
prepared, and where glass may not
readily be had, the sashes may be
made at home, by any one that is
handy with the commonest tools.
The outside should be Of stout
two inch stuff, and three inches
in width. These frames should
be long enough 10 reach from
back 10 the front Of the large
box frame that is placed upon the
hot bed, and three feet in width.
Three Of them will cover a hot
bed ten feet long, andfour will GOV.
era bed Of thirteen feet in length,
II the bed is six feet across, a
strong cross bar should be sunk
into the sides, like the cross bal
of sash, and from this cross ban
strips may DO made to reach eth
er end. The frame is then ready
for the cloth covering, and I'll
following preparation will be four
an excellent substitute for glas
Take good white cotton cloth,
a thick, close texture, and stretd
it on these frames. Two yards
yard wide stuff will cover eac
and that is why they should l
made three feet wide. 1t ma
be fastened on with common cad
pet-tacks. This done, give th'
cloth two or three coats Of pain
made as follows: Take two GUN
ces oil lime water, four ounces o
linseed oil, and mix them we'll il
any vessel in which they may b
heated gently over a slow fire; :
then take the whites Of two egg
and the yolks of three, and mi,
them with the cooled lime waite
and oil. This varnish or pain
may then be spread over the cot
ton cl5th with paint brush. l
will be found that three coats vii
render the cloth perfectly water
proof. Each coat should be allow
ed to dry thoroughly before tn
newt is applied. This preparation
is greatly used in Germany, an
it is found superior to glass il
some respects. In the first place
it is much cheaper; next, It is les
liable to injury, and repairs Cal
be easily made; and again, tn
frames are light to handle, beinl
of such weight that girl Of tel
years old can readily lift them oil
and on. But another advantag
is, that under these covering
plants grow more healthily tina
under glass, not being SO liable t
be scorched, or made to spindle b
the heat and light from the sur
and the moisture sent up by tn
bottom heat is more readily retail
ed in the bed, this covering afford
ing enough light, but light CON
bined with shades matter Of n
little importance, as every gal
dener well knows how watchful b
must be Of the tender youn
plants, to give them protectio
from the strong sunlight, as we
from the intense cold.
PZeWbara lambs ara 1oc,wno