Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-03-27
Hot Reds


| The position of the bed is of Importance the
ground should be dry, easy of access from the
house, and, above all sheltered from cold winds
by fence or buildiDg-the exposure being
Southeast or South. Surprising the frame and
sash are ready, and that one has generous
heap of stable manure, long and short together,
| already deposited near the cite of the bed-wlth
| fork, take the manure from the heap aud build
it up into another, close alongside Of where the
first one stood. Shake out the Jumps and mix
long and short together as equally as may be,
ard if it appears dry, wet it as the heap Is built
up. Build up the pile in regular cone, and II
the weather is cold, lay some boards, corn-stalks,
or other material against it, to keep IN the heat
In three or four days thrust stick into the CEN
ire OF the heap, and If It feels quite warm when
withdrawn, repeat the operation of rebuilding
the pile. In this second turning over, endeavor
to bring the manure that was outside, to the in
side of the heap. If the manure heats up well,
in three four days it is ready to make the bed,
but if not, then turn 1t again and continue to
do SO until the whole is brought into state of
active fermentation. The bed is built wholly
above ground, or partly IN an excavation. When
the ground is well drained, make an excavation
a foot in depth and one foot larger each way
than the frame. Drive stakes three feet high,
at the corners of The excavation, and then put
in the manure a forkful at time, distribute it
evenly. and in layers, beating each layer down
with the back of the fork. As the manure is
piled above the surface, keep the edges even, and
be careful to have the mass equally compact
throughout. The bed of manure is made from
two to three feet in thickness, and the heat will
be more gradual and lasting, if one fourth to
one-half its bulk of forest leaves be mixed with
the manure. For a bed above ground, drive
the stakes and build up the manure In the same
manner. Put on the frame, and place in il
about six inches OF good light rather sandy
soil, put on the sash and rake off the ed yes OF
the bed of the manure 10 remove loose straw.
The next day the heat will probably be so great
that the finger, when thrust into the earth, can
not be held there for long time. Raise the
sashes during the day, but close at night, and
when the heat is steady at about 10 degrees,
SOW the seeds in drills about three inches apart.
Cabbages. caulihowers, etc, may go under the
same sash, and egg plants, tomatoes, peppers
put together Keep the bed from becoming
overheated. by lifting the upper end of the
frame, and securing it by block. When the
plants up, they must be aired in the day
time and be kept from burning by the sun, or
from getting too dry. Where only a gentle
heat is needed, foot SO of iermenting ma
nure may be placed In an excavation, the franz
placed over it, and earth put upon the manure
20 receive the seeds Tomatoes egg plant win
ter cherry, and peppers need more heat than do
cabbage, caullhower, lettuce, celery, etc
INVERTED SoDs very convenient for all |
plants difficult 10 remove Cut a tough sod in |
pieces about three inches square, place these in |
the hot bed or cold frame, grass side down, and |
SOW cucumbers, melons, early sQuashes, and |
Lima beans on the earth side. When the |
plants removed, they set out with the |
sod, and the roots are not disturbed.