The morning news., 1892-03-14
THE QUESTION BOX.
Hot Bed and Cold Frames, Etc.

6Ot 6e0 ana COlQ Frames ECc.
Novice" Quitman, Ga, asks: "What
is the difference between hot-beds and cold
frames. viii the latter be sufficient for
raisiug early plants of tomato, pepper and
eggplanti VIII it do to plant the seed of
eggplant right where the plants are to
grow"
The only difference between hotbeds and
cold frames consists in the use of stable
manure to create bottom heat under the
soil in the hotbed, whereas in the cold
frame the exclusive reliance is made on the
sun heat through the means Of glass covers.
The fermentation of stable manure when
placed in a solid mass under the surface soil
creates considerable heat which warns up
the soil very promptly, and causes the seeds
of the tenderest plants TO germinate how
ever cold the outside temperature
may be. We found, many years ago, that
southern gardeners had little use for hot
beds once the management of cold frames
was perfectly understood. In fact. during
the past ten years we have used this bottom
beat for only one plant, and that was where
an extra early crop Of sweet pota 20 plants
was desired. Where stocky, well-grown
plants of such were wanted as early as the
middle Of March the use of bottom heat
was necessary. For late plants for the
main crop IL is not necessary.
For all other plants well-made and we'll
managed cold frame answers the purpose
fully, the only tn ng needtul being to get
them in good shapein due time, and keep on
the glass TO catch all the sun heat possible,
and TO keep out all cold rains for a week or
two before the time for planting the seeds.
Through this means the soil in cold frame
can be warmed up sufficiently to terminate
the teuderest plants in January or Feb
ruarY, and get them large enough to set out
as soon as it is safe. Any southern gardener
of experience will, no doubt, sustain me in
this statement. If the frames are tightly
made and the glass sash made to fit closely
so as to keep out all cold air aud cold rain
the soil can be warmed up to the depth of
two or three feet, sufficiently to meet the
needs Of any plant and in the course of a
very short period, Cod-frame raised
plants are much to be preferred to these
grown on horbeds.
1t is only in cold latitudes that hotbeds
are necessary. We have no need for them
In Middle Georgia, and certainly they are
not called for in South Georgia or Florida.
The soil in the cold frames necessarily be-
comes very dry even in February, when the
sash ig kept on steadily for ten days or more,
and it will be found quite help IL at time
of sowing the seeds in the frame water that
has been raised to temperature OF l000, or
a little more Is used Tor supplying the neceS-
sary moisture. After the plants are
| well up ordinary we'll water is warm
enough, though it may be better not to pour
it on the leaves, but merely about the
| roots.
In the well-conducted market garden
| there will be found glass and cloth covered
-varnished cloth-frames; both the latter
to be used in growing plants to a stocky
| condition, after being first started In the
glass-covered frames.
1t will not do at all to risk eggplant seeds
when the plants are to grow. They must
! be raised in frames where they can be pro-
tected from the flea beetle until the plants
become too large to be injured by these vo-
racious insects. Open air sowings will not
succeed once in q dozen times. II would
make the crop very late anyway to rely on
such planting. By March Is or April l
plants as tall as four or five inches should be
ready to set out if they were started at the
proper time. For protecting the plants in
the frames or in the open ground afterward
a simple and inexpensive remedy is to
sprinkle the plants freely with clay dust
| that is tainted with little kerosene oil.
A part of your postal card was barely
| decipherable.
The New York Improved is as good va
| riety as any.
Save your own seed from selected speci-
mems after getting start.