The Meeker herald., 1892-03-12
SOME TIMELY FARM TOPICS
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR
ACRiCULTURlST
Tho Advantageous Ho, Bed.

Tho Advantageous Hot Bed.
The hot bed is one OF those ineSpen-
sivo little conveniences which every
farmer may have II he will. without
very much trouble. And the advan-
tago OF having ono in starting cabbage
cnulillowcr. lettuce, rndish, tomato.
celery aud other plants, and in got
ting an early supply OF lettuce for the
table, we'll compensates for Whatever
expense and care is Involved in pro.
vidiug one.
Tie best situation for hot bed j,
one where "A building, close fence. or
other obstruction breaks the full force
OF the wind. and where the full heat al
the sun may fall upon ii,
For heating material manure fresh
from tbs horse stable should be used,
mixed, II they can be procured. with
about an equal quantity OF forest
leaves. Five or six wagon loads Of
this material. placed in compact
heap, will soon heat up. especially II
under cover of shed where II is pro-
tcctcd from cold unit. il begins to
heat.
one method OF making the hot bed
Is TO stack fcrInrntlng manure on the
surface, buildin: II up regularly and
so.idly, and taking care TO distribute
the long and short manure evenly.
The pile should b" two and half
feet high. with square, solid sides, md
should be- two feet wider aud longer
than the frame OF tho hothc,l. \
better plan il TO Olga pit two feet
larger cnch way than the frame and
pack tho manure evenly In II. After
his Ii done the sash should be put ON
and kept close until the heat Is again
active IN the manure. thermometer
Should bc used to ascertain the do
gree al heat generated.
Different plants require different
d,rrrr oil heat. 80 that = is we'll 20
have two or three compartments,
each with its own sash. Thus cucum'
bcTs. eggplant aud peppers do best ia
u temperature warmer and moisirr
than tho hottest room. while tumn-
,ocs require somewhat lees heat. and
cabbage. cHuliilowrr. rnlish. lettuce
and celery need still less. II only one
sHsh Is used. ia. plants rrluirin. tho
greatest heat may hr placed IN the
center. aud the Others nearer the out.
siir. where they can be more readily
coolysl OIL hy raising the sash,
Should the bod prove To ho very
hot. an increased supply OF water will
bo required. Caro- should be taken TO
have Il fully up TO blood heat. twill
also be- necessary TO have the sash
op"n Longer through the day,
Until all danger from frost isoy-r. Il
u Indispensable to have n supply of
mats OF shutters to cover the frames
at night. Straw mats eau readily 10
made by tying ropes Of Ion. straw to-
sctleT with twtn- II Is also necessary
to s-r that the beds nrr properly ven.
;ilAtc'l during the day. ~ tho heat OF
ia. sun. added TO that Of the manure.
will fni-- the temperature too ti';hicr
the safety Of tho plants, No C1nc;
rulc can 10 laid down with regard io
this point. which must hr learned 10y
observation and experience some
times at the cos, Of failure. Hut when
tile mnnns-m-n; Of a hoil,cd i once
vol understood, It II vv'y useful bit
OF knowledge,
Tho soil suitable for a hoiis-,i
should be- light and line. I, should
h. -titci 20 remove all stones Jumps
aud rubbish, Tho addition Of Leaf
mold. such a. b. to b" found ~ 10"
woods. at drrompossl leave. aud
sand. improve, the soil. while sphns
mum moss. thoroughly dri~,l and siit'
81 j. better still added ~ the proper.
ton Of two or thrrp quarts 10 each
Iyvk OF soil. 4 rich soil u not n"rrs'
.ary for starting plants from scrd.
I but II needs to he iin. AMI light
Plants may also he started TO great
Rivhuihe, ia window boxes iu ihs
housr. or cold frames may bc usC'l u
the hothr,l IL too much trouble.
Til, Is simply n hotb-l without tho
parkin.s Of manure. II il not sur
prism. what high degree 81 heat
may he obtained IN this way. bus
great care must bc exercised NOT 20
lose NJ night all that BE- rNin-i by
day. for which a thick COVERING b. i'm
dtsptns1blr. For those who ran AZ
ford II. and the cost Is not or need NOT
l,c great. greenhouse with % hot
water system Of hchtiu; t. a great
| convenience aud q source Of pleasure
one who had taste for such employ
! mcnt will soon master the details ~
nnnngd aud make the green
house ono Of tho most delightful al
luncts OF the farm.