West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-10-21
PIo. xxxv-sEcrros or uorBED.

too. the family begins TO get hungry
for green stun usually long before
there is any for use.
Besides having light, early soil,
south slope and preparing the ground
early. there are n number OF other de-
vices that can be rcsorted 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 1t
is seldom abandoned The best loca-
tion for a hotbed is OF the south side
or building. IL should face the south
In order to get the most possible heat
from the sun. The main source of
heat however. Is fermenting horse una
nure. A pit may be dug for the ma
nure, but the hotbed VIII be Just as
successful II the manure is piled on
top OF the ground. The pile should be
about two feet deep and should be
spread out fat 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
proper proportions OF straw and mois-
ture, so that It will be sprlngy. but
not too loose.
IL Is fact that much OF the success
of the bOtbcd depends on the proper
condition Of this heat supply If the
manure is too far advanced I'm decom.
position the fermentation will not be
active enough to generate the proper
amount Of heat. On the other hand. II
active fermentation has not already
begun the necessary heat Will not be
on hand when Il is wanted, and ger.
mination and growth will be alto
getber too slow. a little careful at
tention TO this matter will prevent dis.
appointment
The frame may be OF any desired
size, according 10 the size OF glass that
can be secured. a storm window
makes a good top for n hotbed. If no
glass can be secured n sash covered
with muslin may be used. The frame
should be about eight inches deep I'm
front and fourteen behind. As soon MS
the manure has been packed In place
the frame should be placed upon II
and about eve inches OF rich soil plac.
ed inside. The best way TO get this
soil is TO store II away in a barrel the
fall before. as you Will want Il long
before the ground thaws IN the spring
Managing the Hotbod.
The proper time 90 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 I'm a hotbed
are cabbages ana tomatoes Lettuce
and radishes may also be grown I'm
the botbed and n planted thinly
enough may be left there until they
are large enough 10 use III you want
n few carly melons OF cucumbers the
seed may be planted in strawberry
boxes Of dirt and placed I'm the hOtbcd
When the weather is sufficiently warm
outside they may be set out in the
garden. The roots VIII make their way
through the sides ~ the box, and three
or four weeks VIII be saved. This is
clever device for treating early SOW
ings OF plants which DO not bear trans.
planting Started I'm this way early I'm
the season they may be transferred,
box and all, into the garden bed and
suffer no backsct
During cold nights the hotbcd should
be covered with straw or old carpets
TO keep Il from getting too cold inside.
On sunshiny days the sash may have
TO be raised during the warmer part
Of the day to give ventilation The
plants should be watercd IN the morn
log on warm days only to prevent too
great o reduction Of temperature.
cold frame Is almost as necessary
as hotbed The piants raised In q
hotbed are very tender and are liable
70 be injured II transplantcd directly
70 the garden. The cold frame a
made the same as a botbed except that