Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-03-30
A6YsGagGHRAg,
Wor1IcnIteraI Notes for the Month

horticultural AOteS lOr thtS
No farmer who pretends to have garden
should be without hot-bed 1t is eas!iy
made, and needs only little care anu oaiiy
attention to manage it successfully III shouio
be placed in dry situation, exposed to the
east and south, aud protected by buildings or
fences ON the north and northeast a hole
should be dug two feet deep and foot lar
Ger each way than the frame. The manure
9borse. dung is besD should be placed IL a
loose heap to ferment week or SO before be-
ing placed under the frame. Then work 1t
over, carefully mixing it, and place it IN the
nit. beating it down we'll with the back of the
fork a. you proceed, bat do not tread 1t down
rs il will heat more in one place than anoth-
er. If compressed too much, so as to exclude
the air. it will feIment slowly, and give but
little heat. If too loose. it will Torment rap
idIy and be too warm at first and Will soon
get cold. The richer the manure e., the
richer food given the animals-the more read
iIv will the manure heat. If the manure is
too dry, water it with the drainage OF the
stables This, blood, or any animal sub
stance Except fa1 will act as terment Ali
nitropenous substances in a state of decay
possesses the power OF inducing fermentation
I, non-nitrogenous substances, Substances
which of themselves will rot ferment. All
animal matters, and especially those which
are soluble, eau be used to great advantage
in regulating the heat cf ot-beds. Where
there is plenty of horse or sheep dung how
ever there will be no need of anything to
induce fermentation.
Heat is favorable to fermentation, and it is
we'll 10 nut the frame on the bed as soon as it
;s made. A frame nine feet long and six
Il. &c
Sbut it down close, bat do not exclude the
Egbt and cover we'll at nights. In a few
davs the bed will be quite hot. The gases
Ci;mated at first are rather injurious to plants
go that the soil should not be put ou the bed
ill all rank smell has ceased. Then cover
the bed three or four inches deep with light
rich garden soil. Under the centre of each
sash place about bushel of light, rich mold
making heap about nine inches deep.
When this is warmed through SOW few
seeds of cucumbers in each hill, about half
an inch deep. Thin out the plants, leaving
three of the strongest in each hill. When
the roots protrude through the hill, cover
them with light soil previously warmed in
the bed. Water, when dry, with water the
temneture of the bed. This should be about
6Oo at night and from 750 TO So during the,
sun. Ventilate, by letting down the sash a
few inches on all favorable occasions. Fresh
air aud light as important as heat; but be
carefuI that no cold wind blows on the tender
plants.
A few seeds of tomatoes, celery, egg plant
&c. may be sown in boxes and placed in the
bed, where they will get good start before
tbey are in the way of the cucumbers. They
should be removed to cold frame and har-
deued off before planting in the open ground.
Another bed can be made and managed in
the same way, for few early lettuce and
radishes. The soil for these should be six
inches deep. 4 little mustard and pepper
grass may be sown to use before the lettuce
are ready. In about a week, the mustard
will be three inches high. when it has two
leaves, it is fit for use. For all these seeds
the soil should be very fine. Sow .hem on
the surface. and then sift the soil over them
covering the lettuce about the eight of an
inch and the radishes quarter OF an inch
deep.
If the bed is two cold, place some hot
manure round the frame, covering it will
boards.
Little can be done in the open ground this
month, except spreading manure on vacant
lard ready to be spaded in as soon as th'
frost is out, and the soil is sufficiently dry.
Rhubarb can be easily forced by placing
an old barrel, with the ends out, over
plant, and then banking it round with warn
manure about two feet thick. Forced IN thl
way. it is deliciously tender. The top Of tn
barrel should be covered at night and on col
s.-GeHesee Fdrmer.