The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-03-06
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THE FARM HOTBED.

nov 20 Make 1t and How to Manage It.
Keep the bed Full.
Tho ordinary hotbad sash is by
teet, convenient size, though any old
sab will answer the purpose Construct
the franc as wido rs tho sash is long
and as long rs 1T is desired to mako tho
bed. Have 12 inches high Mt the front
and 8 at tho back. Mako bed at least
Is feet thick and extending q couple
OF feet beyond tho frame all around of
horse manure which has begun to heat
violently. Tread this bod down firmly,
Tor manure thrown loosely together will
neat rapidly for short tiIno and then
become cold, but when it is mado COM
paratively firm it will give forth gen.
tie heat for six or eight weeks Whom
the bed has been prepared, place the
frame upon it and bank it up we'll to
the top with manure. 1t is now ready
for tho soil. Use light garden loan
which has been prepared tho fall before
Place five or six inches of earth on tho
manure, leyeling and filming with an
iron toothcd rake. Then put OH tho sash
and leave tho bed alone for few days
before planting tho seeds. If the seeds
arc put in ut once, tho manure may be-
come SO hot that tho tendon germs will
be destroyed. About the third or fourth
day tho heat will usually subside to
about 80 degrees; then it will be safe to
SOW, according to American Agricul-
turist, authority for tho following direc-
eions: Mark off in rows abort four inch
cs apart, scatter the seed thinly in tho
drills, cover with half an inch of soil
and pat tho bod down over the rows
with board or tho back of hoe
Radishes and onions do not need
transplanting, but transplant tomatoes
and cabbage once or twice before setting
in tho open ground, giving them moro
room each time; also transplant lettuce
when it gots its second or third pair of
leaves. Set three inches apnrt each way,
and it will soon become large enough
for use. Always keep tho bed full. AS
soon rs ono crop is taken out put in
something else.
Open the bed and lot in fresh air
when the weather will permit AS it he.
comes warmer tho sash may be removed
altogether during tho middle Of the day,
D"e Ah"So Always W. IcpluCOu "Den lC
turns cool toward evening When tho
water begins to gather on the inside Of
the glass, it shows that the air is get
ting damp and heavy, and if not changed
the plants will smother OF the temper
nture will get too high, but always
avoid letting i'll cold draft directly on
to the plants. Water sparingly in cold
weather and mover when the sun is very
bright, for tho drops of water on the
leaves under the glass act as a lens and
burn the leaves SO that they will turn
brown. For this reason in bright wealth
er the watering should DO done either
Ill the morning or evening. If too much
water is given, tho bed will become
soggy and dead, and tho plants will turn
yellow aud cease to thrive. To avoid
this let tho bed become quite dry before
watering, and then give it thorough
soaking. On cold nights or in stormy
weather tho glass should DO covered
with mating or boards, or even hay or
straw. to keep the temperature from
falling too low. y we'll managed hot
bed will moro than pay any family for
the trouble.
Turkeys can DO and have been hatch