Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-03-09

agricultural students.
BE sure to send your name and |
10 cents to cover postage to the Ida
no Student Farmer, University Of
Idaho. Moscow, and get the first
number.
Under the subject of "Hotbeds,
Prof j. r. Shinn of the University |
Of Idaho writes as follows:
Some kind of a hotbed is an es-
scntial factor if one is to secure
crops from plans that require an
exceptionally long season for matur-
ing. A hotbed also affords an OPP
portunity to grow certain crops,
such as radishes and lettuce, in adj
vance of the season. Such crops as
tomatoes, cabbages, ce1ery and cauli-
flower practically demand that they
be started in the hotbed before they
are transplanted to the field, espe
cial'y in the North. AS these crops
must ever be regarded as the staple
product of every weil-balanced gar
den, the construction and manage
ment of hotbeds is a very timely
topic for the prospective gardener to
consider at this time.
| First of all, a hotbed may be de-
| fined as an Enclosure covered with
sash and furnished with artificial
| heat so that the plants are kept in
an actively growing condition. Com
mon stable manure constitutes the
main source for securing this heat.
! There are several requirements that
should be noted regarding the kind
and quality of manure used for hot
beds. 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 II
Re soggy. On the other hand, it
should respond with springy elias
ITCHY beneath the weight of man,
without fiuffing up with the pres
sure is removed. Horse manure
which has from onc-third to one
half straw composing it's total bulk
will usually be found to provide this
requisite texture. Moreover, this
manure should be fresh, in order
that fermentation may proceed rap
; idly.
The process of fermentation Il
. started before the manure is PLACED
in the hotbed. To accomplish thi
the manure is usually piled in long
shallow, square topped piles; If DIR!
when piled, it is moistened through
Gus, and If it is apt to become wa
ter-soaked, as is the case in rain,
climates, it should be piled unde
shelter, for where too much mois
ture is present manure Will remai'
cold. The first fermentation is a.
most sure to be irregular, SO 1t
necessary to fork the pile over, dis
tributing the hot manure through
/ cut the mass, in order to get tn
heat uniformly distributed. When
I H. noticed that steam is coming fror
the pile again uniformly, it may D
taken as evidence that the manur
is ready to place in the hotbed.
After one thoroughly understand
the important details of preparin
the manure for the purpose of hea
ing, attention should be called to u
location and construction of the p
and frame. Pits are usually du
from "a to 80 inches deep and
sufficient size to admit the frame
being placed inside their walls. Sue
pits should be located near son
much-frequented path in order tn
thew are sure to receive the requlsi
ar,o,,nt of attention. Always ha'
the hotbed facing the south and
sach site Is svailahle, put it on t
south side CT solle building or t'g
hoard fence or nil Protectit
should also be sought from the pr
vailing winds, for winds have d
cided effect in carrying away Z
heat. A well-drained location IS al
an essential requirement.
Hotbed sash are axe feet in 81
and cost about So each, Frames
these sash are made with the ba
II inches higher than the fror
the latter being 10 inches The nul
Der of sash and the size of the frar
will depend upon the needs of t
family. Usually one frame Sx6 fe
win AFFORD suflcient hotbed area |