Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-11
EVENINGS STAR,
Spring Hot.bsd. end Geld Frames.

The 'OlI0wiLs article, written by a New
Jersey market gardener, which We find in the
Horticulturist for March, is timely and val
uabls. Most persons with httie experience
start their hOt-beds for rearing plants too
early, and never get good, stocky, hardy
plants.
AS our operations are conducted with a
view to profit, and on large scale, We fstter
ourselves that in some respects our system is
simpler and cheaper than that adopted In pri-
yate practice, competition having the effect Of
drawing out all cOntrivances, so as to make
our manner of working as profitable as possible
In the rising Of tender plants, such as
tomato, egg, melon, or cucumber, there Is Of
ten a great error committed in starting too
early, as they cannot be safely planted out in
this district until the Goth or 18th Of May
The 18th of March is much more preferable for
starting the bot-bed than the 18th Of February;
and if the use Of greenhouse can be had, by
sowing in boxes there, there is no necessity
for starting the hot-bed until the 10th or 18th
Of April, when the greenhouse plants that
have been sown month previous, in the green
houses, may be planted in the frame. -
"Our manner Of making hot beds is different
from that in general use in private gardens:
whether the wood work Of the frame is station
airy OF portable. We Invariably use pit for
the reception Of the prepared hot manure.
This pit is from 2 to 81 feet deep, 6 feet wide,
and of any length required. The advantage
of this over having the hot-bed built above the
ground ia, that it requires less heating materi-
al, and, being ali under ground, is but little
effected by the outside temperature. The
manure being duly prepared by two or three
turnings, the pit Is filed up-packed mode
rately hrm-tc within inches OF the top of
the boards, the ssshes put on, 5nd kept close
to 'draw mp" the heat As soon as the heat
is found 20 he up in the frame-but not before
-four or FIVE inches Of dry soil is regularly
spread over the surface, in which is plunged a
thermometer for a day or two, and when il in
dictates temperature of so degrees, with a
tendency 10 decline, the seed is sown or the
seedlings planted, as the case may be. As the
weather becomes warm, ami the plants get
vigorous, water is freely given, and air in
warm, mild days. The best pFstection from
long enough to overlap the sash at each end
SIX inches, mat for six-feet sash requiring
TO be something over seven feet long.
For raising our spring plants Of cabbage,
cauildowers, or lettuce, We use only cold
frames; that is frames on the surface Of the
ground, without any heating meterial; these
we usually start by the first week in March.
Have the ground finely pulverised, and SOW
rather thin. By one month from the time of
sowing we have fine, strong, hardy plants for
planting in the open ground. Careful atten-
ton Is necessary in giving abundance Of air.
and by covering up by straw mats at night, so
as entirely to exclude frost.
"We have prscticed this plan for some
years past, and find it cheaper, requiring less
attention, and producing much better plants
than those raised in hot-beds."