The Delta independent., 1900-03-23
:KesSas3saNnsEAsa.

deserves consideration wherever early
vegetables arc desired. The hotbed
shortsns the winter season considerably
and gives longer growing period. Ii
protects the young plants from the
Hosts and supplies warmth necessary To
their we'll being before the summer, puts
In an appearance. The hotbssi may be-
oe any size desired. but usually il is >
BY 8 feet, Is q sash that siz, is easily be
procured II should face tho s''utb. .. .
north sids hsing sbou: IA inches high
and the froet ab,st TO- chss above the
level Of Tie grouu ud. AM! tho sash si'ould
at closely. An OF sl'ent ria is ID make
pit , feet deep and set the frame in.
though tho pit need not be So deep if
not preferred. the upper portion ct the
frame extending above ground 10 the
height mentioned above. Plac. the
manure in the pit. tramp it tirml. !.
and then put alb b,ut 9 in she. Of rich dirt
on the manure. ~ as to hYv, the earth
como to about inches OF the top OF
the lower or south site. Now blnk up
the frame all around with earth to the
top ot the boards. and press it firmly. so
- 70 shed water and protect againrt
cold. This banking "f the earth is
important and shnsld not De overlooked
Tho larger the quantity "f mInnrs used
the more heat will be securei. "a it IL
the decomposition o! the manure that
creates the warmth. II some very fine
thoroughly rottei manure is mixed with
the soil over the manure it will he al
advantage in giving the young plants
food within easy reach until they can
extend their roots down TO the main
supply underneath. II the top soil il
sifted. 20 Is to remove any pebbles or
small stones, TO much the better. las the
top soil must be fine.
Uss only fresh horse manure; that is.
havs no litter in it. Pl4e. it IN a be-p
In adry place and in the sun. 80 ss to
have it fermeat. and it shumld fernent
evepiy all through. Turn it ovsr fre-'
queetly and no.s it's condition. II it
heats too rapidly tread J. down. 1t
should not b sIlowsl to continns heat
ing sntil it exhsusts itself. Put the
manure in the botbed. place the sash OIL
aud the heat will rise. Let it remain
twoor three days until the heat begins
TO ssbside, and when at about 20 degrees
ths.esed may be sown. There il not
nsss tho difficulty in making the bed AZ
uay appear. The object in heating tho
osoars before II 10 put in the hotbs'l
= - reduce the Jumps and permit Of
bsttss Denking 10 shs hoshsd. IL tie
heat doss not Eiss II the hotbed il may
b due to the manure bsiss trsnpaed
too nsch. whsa sir gsss into the
nassss more heat will b generated,
bus ~ manure will not give OF heat ~
tosa s6v6S9 ~ IL = senlSds.i. An
otAse pjoD b create more heat should it
~ lsskisg = 70 sisck = Jump Of stoUs
Lire. mig In with warm wafer and give
the hoebsd . good soaking. but ,his
ou6e IL done bstore the re-ds arc
planted. On warm days it may be
necessary to raise the sash to cool the
hotbed, but cold water will also scco,a-
plish tbs Same result. The main point
10 to uss plenty Of manure. aud allow il
70 ~ ~ Il soos of its heat bsfOrs
ueing il, bot Il must not feiment too
much. - Il b the material frOm which
the heat b to bs derived in the hotbed.
All plants must have air. hence the
cash must b raised little every day.
but ooiy fosa short while il thewesthcr
y WY ed. On nice. warm days the
sash may bs lifted oil or raised 10 Ills
full height. but not until the sun is well
up. and It must be cIosod before sun.
down. An Old carpet OF other covering
should BE- placed ovsr the sash at night.
II water begins to collec, ou the under
side q the glass 1t Indicates that the
tempiaturs 10 too high, whom fresh sI
should be admitted. When watering
the plants IL 10 no, necessary TO saturzte
the hotbed. To much water is ss
Injurious y too little. Sow the seeds
in straight rows. each variety to itself.
aDA pull out eli young wcc,ls ~ shOois
Il 6bss hat may appeal. As the
Ws0eAss oeeosbes warmer the mauuvs
will b nearly sxhsust.l and will give
u lsss heat. Take advants2e of every
warn day, u only al noon. to expose the
plants 20 - 10 harder them as much
- possible. Do not cover the seed more
than bali an inch. and H the young
plases sfs too thici. ,eu,ose the surplo..
Tomatoes will be e;ockier u trans
planted to cold fr.u,-s after the ooIsl
days have passeA. Much will depend
uSoo the close observation Of the hot
bed, bot the lsl,or required gill be bot
. feW Oinutee daily.