The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-02-28
GETTING AN EARLY START ON
THE GARDEN.
The Hot Bed Is the Home Gardeners
Most Valuable Asset.

"One of the most valuable aids to
the vegetable garden is the hot bed"
says wv. R. Ballard, Garden Expert of
the Extension Service of the State
College The cold frame is also a
useful addition. By their use, the
growth of plants may be hastened 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 home
gardener. Select location protected
from cold winds by a 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 a pit in the ground six by
six feet and one foot deep. Build a
frame around this pit. Use cedar or
locust posts at the corners. Chestnut
planks one and one half inches thick
are best for the frame which should
be twelve inches high at the back and
six inches at the front. Put a parti-
ton in the center lengthwise Of the
sash dividing the hotbed into two
compartments and bank up the earth
around the outside of the frame.
Get a good load (about one toni
| of fresh manure one week before it
is to be put into the bed. Pile the
manure in a rectangular heap, mixing
the strawy material uniformly 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 Ipit.
Fill the pit a layer at a time,
tramDing it down thoroughly. When
the manure is twelve inches deep put
ON the sash. Get a cheap thermomet-
er and hang in the bed. The tempera-
ture will run quite high at first. As
soon as it drops to ninety degrees
cover the manure with three inches
of light rich soil which has been
screened.
I'm one compartment plant seeds of
cool climate lplants 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 IF the soil is moist when put
on the beds it will not be necessary
to water until the plants are up.
! "Ventilate a little every day ex-
cept in the severest weather by putt
ing a board or brick under the front
end of the sash. Keep the cool frame
from 55 to 80 degrees during the day
and the warm frame from IS to 70
degrees. The temperature can be
regulated by varying the amount of
ventilation. Use care in watering,
il plants are making a. tender growth,
allow the soil to dry out somewhat
About April first transplant to
paper lpots, old pint berry boxes or
similar receptacles. At this point,
| the cold frame is invaluable. This
consists simply of a frame set on the
ground and covered with sash. The
only heat necessary is that furnished
by the sun. Harden off the plants by
gradually 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"