The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-26
Preparing the Hotbed.


Philadelphia Record.
AT this season Of the year one of the
considerations is the hotbed. The hot
bed is something that is old. SO far as its
use is concerned. and there has been but
little Improvement in hat direction COM
pared with progress in general on the
farm. This is due, probably, TO the fact
that the hotbed costs but little. can be
made of waste material and is frequently
but a small affair. But the hotbed is an
essential on farms where early vegetables
are desired. 1t gives young plants an
early start, protects from frost and pro-
longs the growing season. The hotbed
may he Of any size desired. but many
persons make the bed TO fit some kind
of sash that can be used for the purpose,
usually about three feet by six. A pit is
dug and a frame set in, enough of the
frame being above ground to shed water
and admit the sunlight. If the pit is two
feet deep and the lower side of the frame
is ten inches above the ground, with the
upper side fourteen inches high, the open
or lower space facing the south or south
east, it should answer: but some gardeners
do not adhere strictly to this depth, being
governed by conditions and circumstances,
the exposure. protection of buildings, dry
ness of soil, etc, being considered.
Heat must be generated in the hotbed
and the heat must be uniform in tempera-
ture, derived at the lowest cost and with
the least care. This is done by saving
horse manure free from straw or other lit
ter and using it for providing heat. If the
manure is fresh it will sooner or later de-
compose, and in so doing heat is generated.
Put the manure in the pit and trample it
firmly, so as to exclude as much air as pos
sible. for the more air the more heat, and
it may not be desirable to have too mucn
heat. Over the manure place rich dirt,
sifted, to the depth of six inches, the top
of the dirt to come to about six inches or
the top of the lower side of the frame.
Next bank around the outside of the frame
with earth TO the depth of the boards,
trampling well, so as to protect against
frost. and also to permit water from rains
to flow away from the hotbed. If some
well-rotted manure is mixed with the earth
i'm the hotbed it will be of advantage, but
such manure should be as fine as the dirt.
The handling of the manure requires
Judgment, as success or failure depends
upon a regular or irregular temperature
in the hotbed. When saving the manure
for the hOtbed place 1t in a heap In the
stable. allow il TO heat, turning it over
frequently, and observe its condition. II
it heats too rapidly tread ii down. 1t
should not be allowed to heat too much.
When the manure is then put into the
hotbed and the sash is in place the heat
will begin. Let il remain for two or three
days until the heat begins to subside, and
when the temperature of the hotbed is
about so or 90 degrees the seed may be
sown. The object in allowing the manure
| 10 neat OeIOTG II Is put INTO the HOlDtu
Is TO reduce the Jumps and permit of bet
ter packing in the pit. Should the manure
be so firmly trampled as to give an insult
ficient heat before the seed Is sown moiSten
it with an ounce Of stone lime. slaked. to
which a quart of warm water is added.
The lime will soon induce hemical action
in the manure. After observing the hot
bed for a few days, before sowing the
seeds, the operator will have little or no
difficulty in regulating the temperature.
On warm days the sash may be raised
- q n i've 70 nnnl the hnfhan CIV
ing more air as warm weather approaches
and the condition of the young plants will
permit. Cold water may also be used II
the manure creates too much heat. An
old carpet or any other covering may be
placed over the sash at night to prevent
loss OF warmth. If the water begins to col
lect on the under side of the sash it indi-
Gates that the temperature is too high,
and fresh air should be admitted. Use
tepid water for watering, and do not use
too much, SO as to saturate the bed. Sow
the seeds I'm straight rows, labelling each
variety. and pull out all young weeds or
grass that may appear, as they often make
more rapid growth than the desired plants
and seriously interfere with their prog
ress. As warmer weather comes the ma
nure will be more or less exhausted or de-
composed. and will then give off less
ton for supplying the plants, which will
send their roots down into II for procur-
ing food The larger the plants the more
pend somewhat on the temperature of the
hotbed and the condition of the weather.
Do not cover the seeds more than half
an inch. and if the plants are too thick do
not hesitate to remove the surplus. Take
advantage OF every warm day to expose
the plants 10 the outer air. so as TO
harden" them as much as possible. Early
cabbages and lettuce are hardy and can
endure more exposure than tomatoes, egg
plants or peppers. Transplant the hardy
kinds as soon as IL can be done. Toma-
toes may be transplanted 10 cold frames
as the weather becomes milder. After the
plants are removed from the hotbed spade
il. mixing the manure and earth; add more
rich earth. so as TO fill il, and put a few
tomato plants I'm the bed TO grow or sow
A few melon seeds. IL preferred. as the
rich hotbed will give a good return IL used
in that manner after supplying early
plants.