Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-02-14
Getting An Early Start on The
Garden.
The HoTBED Is The HOME GARDENERS
Most VALUABLE ASSET.

"one OF the most valuable aids to the
vegetable garden is the hotbed," says W.
K Ballard Garden Expert of the Exten-
sion Service of the State College. THE
cold frame is also a useful addition. By
their use the growth of plants may be
fastened so that they will mature long
before their normal time, and less trouble
with weeds, insects and diseases. greater
production and higher prices are the result.
THE time to start the hotbed will vary
in different sections. but March first is
soon enough for the gardener. Select
a location protected from cold winds by
building or other windbreak-a southern
exposure is desirable. See that the soil is
well drained.
The size of the ordinary sash is three
by six feet. The hotbed may be of any
size, but for the average home garden it
is convenient to use two sash. Dig pit
in the ground six by six feet and one foot
deep, Build frame around this pit. Use
cedar or locust posts at the corners. Chest
nut planks one and one-half inches thick
are best for the frame, which should be IL
| inches high at the back and six inches at
the front. But partition in the center
lengthwise of the sash. dividing the hot
bed into two compartments and bank up
the earth around the outside Of the frame.
Get a good load (about one ton) of
fresh manure one week before it is to be
put into the bed. Pile the manure into a
heap. mixing the strawy material uni
formly through the pile. Wet any part
which seems dry. After standing two or
three days, give it thorough turning over.
AS soon as the pile begins to steam well
it is ready for the pit.
Fill the pit layer at time. tramping
it down thoroughly. When the manure is
twelve inches deep put on the sash. Get
cheap thermometer and hang in the bed.
The temperature will run quite high at
first AS soon as it drops to ninety de-
grees cover the manure with three inches
of light rich soil which has been screened.
"ln one compartment plant seeds of cool
climate plants, such as onions, cabbage
and cauliflower. In the other plant those
which require more heat. such as tomatoes,
eggplant and peppers. Make the rows six
inches apart. II the soil is moist when
put on the beds. it will not be necessary to
water until the plants are up.
"Ventilate little every day except in
the severest weather by putting a board
or brick under the front end of the sash.
Keep the cool franc from SIS to 80 de-
grees during the day and the warm
frame from IS to 20 degrees. The tenn
perature can be regulated by varying the
amount of ventilation. Use care in water
ing. If the plants are making a tender
growth, allow the soil to dry out somewhat.
About April first transplant to paper
pots, old pint berry boxes or similar re-
ceptacles. At this point the cold frame is
invaluable. This consists simply of frame
set on the ground and covered with sash.
The only heat necessary is that furnished
by the sun. Harden off the plants by gradu-
ally increasing the amount Of ventilation.
On bright days remove the sash entirely.
AS soon as danger from frost is over,
transfer the plants to the open ground"