Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-03-14
WORK IN EARLY SPRING.

ing for n hotbed are very simple. and
trouble. The ordinary hotbed sash is
three by six feet. but any old sash will
answer the purpose. The bed should
extend east and west, and the frame
should be little higher on the north
than on the south side, TO give the
glass pitch toward the sun. Ten
inches in front and fourteen behind is
about right The sash should fit closely.
and the ends of the frame should come
up even with the top of the sash. to
prevent the wind from blowing under
on TO the plants The frame should
also have stay across the top about
every six feet. TO prevent the sides
from springing in.
With the first warm days in March.
or even as early rs February. p-epara-
ton should be made for the hotbed 4
few barrels OF good garden loan
should haze been prepared the fall be-
fore and stored in place away from
the frost, for it is difficult 10 get good
soil at this season of the year. Select
some sheltered spot. where there is
plenty of sunshine, and draw out a few
leads OF fermenting horse manure. If
the manure is heating evenly all
through it may be built up into the
bed at once. but if not it should be
shaken up we'll and piled in a fiat
heap 30: few days. and if an por-
tionS of il are dry these should be wet
down. When the heat hes permeated
we'll through the Pile fork it over and
build il up into the bed, shaking out
all of the Jumps. so that it will pack
evenly and give q steady heat Tread
it down quite firmly. for if left too
loose ii will ferment rapidly. giving an
intense heat for short time. then be-
come exhausted. Build the bed about
two feet thick and large enough so
that it will extend two feet beyond the
frame on all sides. Then set on the
frame and bank il up to the top with
manure. Next put in about four or
five inches of soil. put on the sash and
let il sweat. 1t will soon begin TO
heat quite violently. and the tempera-
ture will run up considerably over 100
degrees. after which il will begin to
Subside, and about the third or fourth
day it will be down to about 90 de-
grees, when il will do to sow the
seed.
1t was claimed some years ago by
the American Agrieulturist that rad
ish. lettuce and onion seed may be put
in along with tomato, cabbage. pep
per and egg plant seed for plants.
Rake the bed smooth and fine. and sow
the seed in drills three inches apart.
covering half an inch deep. The plants
will be up in few days. and in about
three weeks time, if the weather is IA
vorable. radishes will be fit to use.
Lettuce. however. may be transplanted
TO cold frame, and onions will give
sets for the garden. If in picking the
lettuce the leaves are removed and the
roots and crowns left they will throw
out a new growth and continue to pro-
duce all through the season. The
plants should be kept free from weeds
and thinned. so they will have room to
develop. Tomatoes will make strong
err stockier plants if transplanted
when they are two or three inches
high.
The sash of the .lotbed should be
raised little every day, to give the
plants fresh air and TO regulate the
temperature. When water begins to
gather en- the under side of the glass it
indicates that the temperature is run
ming too high. and fresh air should be
admitted. but be careful not 10 allow
the cold winds 10 blow on the plants.
The sash should be closed. as the tenn
perature falls toward evening. If the
nights are very cold extra covering
Will lie necessary. Old pieces of car
pet or mating can be used. or light
board covers can be made. which are
more nt.-Philadelphia Rec
ord.