Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-05-29
FAMILY HOTBED8.
Some Good Suggestions for the smaj
Beginner.

Some Good Suggestions for the smaj
Beginner.
By J. R. Shinn. University Of Idaho, Moscow,
Some kind OF hotbed is an essential
factor II one lie to secure crops from
plants that require an exceptionally
long season for maturing. hotbed
also affords an opportunity to grow GER
tain crops, such as radishes and lettuce,
in advance of the season. Such crops
as tomatoes, cabbages. celery and cauli-
flower, practically demand that they be
started in the hotbed before they are
transplanted to the field, especially in
the North. AS these crops must ever
be regarded as tho staple product Of
every well.balsnced garden, the con-
struction and management of hotbeds
is very timely topic for the prospec-
tive gardener TO consider.
First Of all, hotbed may be defined
as an inclosure covered with sash and
furnished with artificial heat 20 that
the plants are kept in an actively grow.
ing condition. Common stable manure
constitutes the main source for securing
this heat. There are several require
ments that should be noted regarding
the kind and quality Of manure ueed
for hotbede. II should be practically
the same age throughout, and 1t should
be of such texture that when packed it
will neither be fluffy nor will It b.
soggy. On the other hand, IL should
respond with springy elasticity be.
meath the weight Of . man, without
fluffing up when the pressure is re-
moved. Horse manure which has from
one-third to one-half straw composing
its total bulk will usually be found to
provide this requisite texture. More
over, this manure should be fresh, in
order that fermentation may proceed
rapidly.
The process of fermentation 10 started
before the manure is placed in the hot
bed. To accomplish this the manure
is usually piled in long, shallow,
square-topped piles; II dry when piled,
1t is moistened throughout, and il it ID
apt to become water.soaked, a. ID the
case in rainy climates, it should be
piled under shelter, for where 90 much
moisture is present manure will re-
main cold. The Arst fermentation il
almsst sure to be irregular, 20 it IL me-
cessary to fork over the pile, distribut-
ing the hot manure throughout the
mass, in order to get the heat uniform,
ly distributed. When it ID noticed
that steam is coming from the pile
again uniformly, it may be taken as evil
dence that the manure Is ready to place
in the hotbed.
After one thoroughly understands the
important details of preparing the
manure for the purpose of heating, at
tention should be called to the location
and construction Of the pit and frame.
Pits are usually dug from "a to 80
inches deep and Of sufficient eize to ad.
NIT the frames being placed inside
their walls. Sach pits should be To-.
Gated near some much-fIequented path,
in order that they are sure to receive
the requisite amount of attention. Al
ways have the hotbed facing the south
and If such site is available, put it on
the south side Of some building or tight
board fence or hill. Protection should
also be sought from the prevailing
winds, for winds have decided effect
in carrying away the heat. A we'll
drained location is also an essential re-
uirement.
Hotbed sash are 3x6 feet in size and
cost about 50 each. Frames for these
sash are made with the back IL inches !.
higher than the front, the IAtter being
10 inches. The number OF sash and
the size Of the frame will depend upon
the needs Of the family. Usually one
frame 3x6 feet will afford sufficient
hotbed area for family of six.
Before the frame is placed upon the
pit the fermenting manure is placed in
the pit and thoroughly ompacted,
bringing the level of the manure to
within three inches OF the surface OF
the soil. From three to six inches of
good loamy garden soil are distributed
evenly over the surface OF the manure
in order to furnish seed bed. The
seed is not planted until the excessive
heat CT the first few days has begun to
subside. By the use OF Thermometer
the temperature may be accurately as
certained. Tomatoes may be sown at a
temperature Of 90 to 80 degrees, cab
bage and lettuce from 80 to 70 degrees.