The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1908-05-02
FAMILY HOTBEDS.
Some Good Suggestions for the SINAI
Beginner.


Beginner.
By J. R. shinn. University Of Idaho. Moscow.
Some kind OF a hotbed ia All essential
factor il one is to secure crops from
plants that require an exceptionally
long season for maturing. A 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 the staple product OF
every well.balanced 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 inclosuTe covered with saoh and
furnished with artificial heat so 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 used
for hotbede. 1t 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 be
soggy. On the other hand, it should
respond with springy elasticity be-
meath the weight of a man, without
fufing 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 Is 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,
it is moistened throughout, and il it Is
apt to become wster-soaked, as is the
case in rainy climates, it should be
piled under shelter, for where so much
moisture is present manure will re-
main cold. The fret fermentation is
almost sure to be irregular, so it is 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 is 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 size to adj
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 hotb facing the south
and il such site is available, put it on
the south side Of some building OF 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 SO each. Frames for these
sash are made with the back IL inches
higher than the front, the Litter being
10 inches. The number Of sash and
the size Of the frame will depend upor
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 tbs
pit the fermenting manure is placed il
the pit and thoroughly compacted
bringing the level OF the manure Il
within three inches of the surface o
the soil. From three to six inches o
good loamy garden soil are distributed
evenly over the surface OF the manure
in order to furnish a seed bed. Tn,
seed is not planted until the eIcessiv'
heat CT the first few days has begun t
subside. By the use Of thermomete
the temperature may be accurately as
certained. Tomatoes may be sown at
. temperature of 90 to so degrees, cab
bage and lettuce from 80 to 70 degrees