Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-09
Making A Farm aotned.

The first spring work In the farm gar
den is making hotbcd. 1t will furnish
fresh vegetables when they are relish
and cost comparatively little, for every
thing is Mt hand except tho sash, and that
once procured will last for years. The
ordinary hotbcd sash is 6xS feet, very
convenient size, although any old sash will
answer the purpose. Construct the frame
as wide as the sash is long and as long as
it is desired to make the bod. Have 10
inches high at the front and Is at the
back About the first Of March haul out
few loads of fresh horse manure which
has begun to Torment and place in
square Hat pile, In a few days when IL has
begun TO heat quite violently, fork over,
shake it out well and throw ont all frozen
Jumps. Make into bed at least ono and
n half feet thick and extending q couple
Of feet beyond the frame all around,
trcading II down firmly. Manure thrown
loosely together will heat rapidly for
short time and then bccome cold, but
when IL is made comparatively firm, IL
will give forth u gentle heat for six or
eight weeks. When the bed has been
prepared place the frame upon 1t and hank
il up well to the top with manure.
IL Is now ready for the soil. Use light
garden loan which has been prepared tho
fall before. This had previously been
placed in heap and covered with ma
nure to keep 1t from freezing, so that IL
can be had when wanted. Neglect of this
item may cause some delay In making tho
hotbcd for the ground is usually frozen
March LIST and il Is difficult to procure
soil from the open ground. Place five or
six inches of earth on the manure, level
ing and fining with an iron toothed rake;
then put ON the sash and leave the bed
alone for few days before planting tho
seeds II the seeds are put In at once the
manure may become SO hot that tho tender
germs will DO destroyed. About the
third or fourth day, the heat will usually
subsidc to about 50 degrees, then IL Will bc
safe to SOW. Mark off in rows about four
inches apart, scatter tho seed thinly in
the drills, cover with half an inch of soil,
and pat tho bed down over the rows with
n board or the back of a hoe.
Radishes and onions do not need trans
planting, but transplant tomatoes and
cabbage once or twice before setting In
the open ground, giving thcm more room
each time. Also transplant lettuce when
il gets its second or third pair of leaves.
Set three inches apart each way, and 1t
will soon become large enough for use.
Always keep the bed full. As soon ms ono
crop Is taken out put In something else.
Open the bed and let in fresh air when
the weather will permit As 1t becomes
warmer the sash may be removed alto-
gether during the middle Of the day, but
must always be replaced when IL turns
cool toward evening. When tho water
begins to gather on the inside OF the glass,
it shows that the air is getting damp and
heavy and If not changed the plants will
smother or the temperature will get too
high, but always avoid letting i'm n cold
draught directly on to the plants. Water
sparingly in cold weather, and never when
the sun is very bright for the drops of
water on the leaves under the glass act
as lens and burn the leaves so that they
will turn brown. For this reason in
bright weather the watering should be
done either I'm the morning or evening.
II too much water is given the bed will
become soggy and the plants will turn
yellow and cease to thrive. To avoid this
let the bed become quite dry before
watering and then give it thorough
soaking. On cold nights or in sdormy
weather the glass should be covered with
mating or boards or even hay or straw
to keep the temperature from falling too
low A well managed hotbed will more
than pay any family for the trouble.
Once enjoyed, it will be made overy
spring It will require little attention
every day, but the pleasure of having
early vegetables will be an ample reward.
American Agriculturist.