The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-11

WQdG MIS-. uduoOu says dOOuU5 covering
as soon as the ground freezes in the
fall. It is best to put on q part Of the
covering at that time, and when we have
weather as we have now, with no pros
pect Of snow, put on more. In the
spring uncover partially. ...
Mrs. F. H. Gibbs-I would like to ask
whether any one has had experience in
digging trenches for sweet peas in the
fall and putting in the dressing at that
time?
! Mrs. Hanson--I think that is much
the better time it we can do so.
III. j. Baldwin, think little de-
tail in regard to making the hotbed
for starting early plants might be Civ
en-. I have had considerable expert
ence in that direction, and it is not so
much of a job as one might suppose.
We had a number Of boxes a foot
square, then we dig holes in the
ground foot deep and put in few
forkfuls of warm manure, just enough
to take the cold out Of the ground, and
by sitting the earth thru sieve and
then sowing the seeds in rows, and be-
ing very careful for a few days to see
that the ground does not dry out before
the seeds terminate, we get the most
magnificent plants. That is the critical
time; Most people. put in those little
fine seeds two or three times too deep,
and then the scotsman catches it be-
cause his seeds are no good.
The President-Those are very valu-
able suggestions, especially that in re-
gard to planting too deep.
Mr.. Carbine re.)-What depth of
earth do you put on the manure9
Mr.. Enthusiastically on our hotbed
for vegetables we put on about six
inches, but for those little boxes in
which to plant fine seeds four inches is
! an abundance. It would probably not
be enough earth to make the plants
| large enough to set out where they are
to stay.
| Frank Yahnke-Would not the ma
rure make the earth too hot if there
were only four inches9
Mr.. Baldwin-Not if he put in only
few inches of manure.
| Mr.. Probstfeld-I see members are
somewhat shy about speaking Of their
experience with hotbeds, but | have
made hotbeds for our own use for the
last thirty years. 1 will describe mine
We make no holes in the ground, be,
or a snow storm we will get too much
water in our hotbed. We pile up two
feet Of well-rotted horse manure and
work it over to make it according to
reouirements., We have generally about
four sashes, taken off the house, and
these will coverfa hotbed about twelve
feet long and six feet wide. In that
Ihotbed we raise all our own cabbage
i and tomato plants every year, and also
all the flower plants we want to set out
and it is very little trouble except when
the seeds are coming up. [ do not SOW
the seeds until the ground becomes
warm, We put in about. six inches OF
earth. After the earth becomes warm
we plant the seeds We cover the seee
with an old gunnsxsack, but they have
] to be locke d saftpirs ev e. day, and q!
:,'soon as the first seed sprouts take of
the sacks If you can sprout the seeds
/ there will net BE much Trouble, but i
you have promiscuous seeds you vii
have to be careful. After the seeds ar
sprouted you can take off the covering
The seed must be watered, and II .Yo'
neglect them they will dry up: Yo7
have to cover them up when there
danger of freezing. and if it is TO-
warm you cam leave the sash up a little
It is very important, in order to hay
good healthy plants, to have plenty Q
Ventilation. Also do your watering !
the evening so your plants will not .
: injured by the sun. In the morning tn
hot sun will come on the glass, and
. is apt to blight or stunt the plants. III
method is very simple, and we AWAY
have splendid success. -, :.
This paper was taken from the Mil
nesota Horticulturist, published by. tn
T Minnesota State Horticultural societ,
f.. the largest society. of its kind IN tn
7 United States, having membership G
i. 1900. The society has q fine hbrar
8 and office at POI Kasota Block.