The Dolores star., 1908-02-14

mas and In the early spring, are the
enjoyment OF all, yet this is often as
far as II goes. The fact Is, anyone that
has small piece of ground can afford
the expense of "a small amount of glass
and few boards, can have n hot bed
and run it successfully. Manure may
usually be had for nothing.
The best location for hot bed is on
the south side of building or of q
tight board fence. The size Of hot bed
sash is commonly three by six feet.
After the size Of the bed has been de-
terinined a frame or box without top
or bottom Is made of just the right size
to admit of using the sash for a cover.
The sash should slant to the south,
consequently the front Of the box will
be lower than the back. An eight-inch
front and twelve-inch back VIII he
about right, though many other forms
are used A hole is now dug where
the bed Is to be. of the same size as the
frame, TO hold the manure which fur
nishes the heat. The depth of the
hole will depend upon the degree of
cold that is expected the growing
plants will stand. Zero weather will
require 80 inches of manure, while for
late fall or early spring usually a depth
of twelve inches will suffice. If n
twelve-inch layer of manure is decided
upon; the excavation should be
eighteen inches deep; the extra six
inches to be filled with soil ir which
to grow plants.
The manure should be collected a
few days before seeds are to be planted
or plants are to be set ont. Fresh
horse manure which Is mixed with
one-third of fine straw is commonly
used. This is placed in pile to fer
ment, which ii will begin to do in
few days if kept moist. When steam
is given off, the pile is forked over,
throwing the outside toward the CEN
ter. After few days the manure will
become heated second time, when il
is ready to put in the bed.
In filling the beds put in layer of
manure at time and press 1T down
Iirmly with the feet. Care must be
taken to see that each layer is spread
evenly and packed thoroughly. The |
frame is now placed so that the bottom
will be little below the surface of the
ground and covered with the sash un-
til the bed is heated through. When
this has been accomplished the surface |
Of the manure should be made smooth |
and the six inches of fine, loamy soil
filed in. The bed should be allowed
some more time to warm the soil, when |
It will be ready for seeds and plants. |
In the meantime the frame should be
well banked ON the outside with the
same heating material.
Such bed should give off heat for
five or six weeks if made in the early |
spring or late fall.
Covering of some kind must be pro-
vided for the beds and be put on before
the sun gets low in the afternoon and
then allowed to remain until 8 or 10 |
,'clock in the morning, depending up
IN the weather.
Great pains must also be taken with |
.he watering and ventilating. Water
,nly during the middle of the day so
hat the surface soil and the plants
nay have time to dry before dark.
Otherwise the dreaded damping off of
the plants may be reduced. Ventila-
ion is required for the same purpose.
there is large amount of
INJURIOUS gases given off from the
which must be allowed to es-
APE. Even in the coldest weather
should be provided, if only
or short time each day,
If such crops as lettuce, rad,shes,
'nions and spinach are started in
March, tomato and cabbage plants
nay be started after these crops are off.
Plants for the garden may be grown
n this way which are superior to those
ordinarily found upon the market
W. Paddock.