The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1909-10-22
1xay@SE4Y4xA A$SxxS
FIG. xxxv-sEcTroN OF HoTBED.

too, the family begins to get hungry
for green stuff usually long before
there Is any for use.
Besides having light, early soil, a
south slope and preparing the ground
early, there are number of other de-
vices that can be resorted to to secure
earliness One of the most important
of these is the hotbed. A hotbed costs
little, and after it's advantages have
once been found, out by actual trial it
Is seldom abandoned. The best loca-
ton for hotbed Is on the south side
of building. 1t should face the south
in order to get the most possible heat
from the sun. The main source of
heat, however. Is fermenting horse ma
nure. A pit may be dug for the ma
nure, but the hOtbed will be Just as
successful If the manure is piled on
top of the ground The pile should be
about two feet deep and should be
spread out fiat and packed tightly. 1t
should extend out about two feet each
way from the frame that is to be used.
The manure used should have the
ture, so that it will be springy, but
not too loose.
1t is a fact that much of the success
Of the hotbed depends on the proper
condition of this heat supply. If the
manure Is too far advanced in decom,
position the fermentation will not be
active enough to generate the proper
amount of heat. On the other hand. If
active fermentation has not already
begun the necessary heat will not be
on hand when it Is wanted. and ger.
mination and growth will be alto
gether too slow. A little careful at.
tention to this matter will prevent dis.
appointment.
The frame may be of any desired
size, according to the size Of glass that
can be secured. A storm window
makes a good top for hotbed. If no
glass can be secured sash covered
with muslin may be used The frame
should he about eight inches deep in
front and fourteen behind AS soon as
the manure has been packed in place
the frame should be placed upon II
and about five inches of rich soil plac-
ed inside. The best way to get this
soil is to store it away in barrel the
fall before, as you will want it long
before the ground thaws In the spring
Managing the Hotbed.
The proper time to start the hotbed
Is about six weeks before the ground
outside will be ready for planting
About three days after the hOtbed has
been started the temperature will have
become uniform, and the seeds can be
planted. They can be planted th.ckly,
since they are to be taken up before
they have made much growth. The
principal plants started In hotbed
are cabbages and tomatoes. Lettuce
and radishes may also be grown in
the hotbed and If planted thinly
enough may be left there until they
are large enough TO use. If you want
few early melons or cucumbers the
seed may be planted In stra wberry
boxes of dirt and placed in the hotbed. !
When the weather is sufficiently warm
outside they may be set out in the
garden. The roots will make their way
through the SiGes of the box, and three |
or four weeks will be saved This Is |
n clever device for treating early sow
insS of plants which do not bear trans
planting. Started In this way early In
the season they may be transferred. !
box and all, into the garden bed and |
suLer no baCkset.
During cold nights the hotbed should |
be covered with straw or old carpets |