The Springfield herald., 1901-03-29
THE HOTBED.
Thing EgsentiaI for Early VeRe-
tRhlRa.

very reason why the farmers family
iould enjoy the luxury of early vege.a
rs. Near cities and large towns there
Re market gardeners who devote much
ttention to raising vegetable pla,ts to
Epply the demand In such sections
ltrmers often depend entirely on secur-
& their plants from these sources, es-
'cially as they can buy them at very
nsorable rates. There are. however.
nny farmers who should prepare hot
ID not only for the very early vegetA-
les. bur also for the raising of many
pants that require setting out for the
hgular late crops. especially such as cab
ige, caulihower, eggplants, tomatoes,
e. The farmer who once tries a hotbed
Ill always thereafter have one. All au-
lorities agree that perfect digestion Is
he key TO good health. There is nothing
bat equals a varied supply of good vege
hbles as aids to digestion. A good gar
sn will lessen the visits OF the doctor.
he following practical Instruction for
Pc construction of the hotbed is from tho
Philadelphia Record: March is the month
fhcn the hothcd should be made. and it
a matter that deserves consideration
fherever early vegetables are desired
fhe hotbed shortcns the winter season
anu gives al Hunger SrOW1nH
Icriod. 1t protects the young plants from
Pc frosts and supplies warmth necessary
p their well being before the summer
Ilts in an appearance. The hotbed may
e of any size desired, but usually 1t is
hree by six feet. as sash that size can
Flsily be procured. II should face the
Puth the north side being about fourteen
hches high and .he front about ten
Ilcheq ahnyc 10 of lo
be sash should fit closely. An excellent
Ian is to make n pit two feet deep and
1T their frame in. though the pit need not
Ie SO deep II not preferred the upper nor
on of the frame extending above ground
b the height mentioned above Place the
|ianure in the pit, trample 1t firmly and
hen put about six inches of rich dirt on
be manure. so as to have the earth come
p about six inches of the top of the
pwer or south side. Now bank up the
rame all around with earth to the ton
the boards and press It firmly, so as
} shed water and protect against cold.
his banking Of the earth is important
nd should not be overlooked. The larger
be quantity of manure used the more
eat Will be secured. as It is the decom-
osItton of the manure that creates
II some very 11ne, tnOfOuRnly
otted manure is mixed with the soil over
he manure 1t will be an advantage in
living the young plants plant food with
h easy reach until they can exterd their
oots down to the main supply under
seath. IT. the top soil is sifted, so as to
emove any pebbles or small stones, so
nuch the better, as the top soil must be
inc. The manure must be prepared now
Sc ONLY frCSl horSa ty,at ye
ave no litter In 1t. Place 1t in a heap
n dry place and in the sun. so as to
save 1t ferment, and 1t should ferment
tvenly all through. Turn 1t over fire.
uently and note its condition II it heats
90 rapidly tread 1t down. II should not
'e allowed to continue heating until 1t
xhauSts itself. Put the manure in the
iotbed. place the sash on and the heat
yil rise. Let 1t remain two or three days
lntil the heat begins to subside, and
when At about ninety degrees the seed
nay be sown. There is not near the dtii-
'ulty making the bed as may appear
'he object in heating the manure before
Is put In the hotbed is to reduce the
jumps and permit of better packing in
he hotbed. If the heat does not rise in
he hotbed 1t may be due to the manure
,eing trampled too much. When air gets
nto the manure more heat will be gem
rated, but the manure will not give off
leat so long as the air is excluded An
'ther plan to create more heat should it
De lacking is to slake lump of stone
ime, mix 1t with warm water and give
he hotbed good soaking. but this must
De done before the seeds are planted On
warm days it may be necessary to raise
he sash to cool the hotbed. but cold
water will also accomplish the same re-
suit. The main point is to use plenty of
manure, and allow 1t to get rid of some of
Is heat before using it. but it must not
'erment too much, 1t is the material
rom which the heat is to be derived in
he hotbed. All plants must have air,
,ence the sash must be raised a little
very day, but only for a short while II
he weather is very cold. on nice, warm
lays the sash may be lifted off or raised
its full height. but not until the sun is
we'll up, and it must be closed before sun
iown. An old carpet or other covering
should be placed over the sash at night.
If water begins to collect on the under
side of the glass it indicates that the
temperature is too high, when fresh air
should be admitted. When watering the
llants 1t is not necessary to saturate the
lotbed. Too much water is as injurious
rs too little. Sow the seeds in straight
.ows, each variety 10 itself, and pull out
III young weeds or shoots or grass that
nay appear. As the weather becomes
\ armer the manure will be nearly ex-
..tissted and will give eff less heat Take
ldvantage of every warm day, II only at
loon. to expose the plants, so as to
harden" them as much as possible. DO
not cover the seed more than half an
nch, and il the young plants are too
hick remove the surplus. Early cabbage
md lettuce are hardy, and can stand
more exposure than tomatoes or egg
plants. but the hotbed must be so man.
lged as To protect tie tender kinds.
Transplant the hardy kinds as soon as it
,an be done. Tomatoes will be stocder