Year: 1869

very ihhny vi the ledueio vi INV 1'S'F
cultural Department Of the Observer are
quite as much interested in horticulture
as in farming, and we have always en-
deavored to impress upon farmers the du-
ty and advantage of devoting more atten-
ton to the garden than they are wont to-.
The farm is generally reckoned more pro-
Gtable, pecuniarily, than the vegetable or
the flower garden, but it will not afford
larger percentage of real comfort and
pleasure to those who have taste for
something besides dollars and cents. In
this latitude the season opens so late, the
frost is 50 long in leaving the ground, and
the spring rains are SO heavy that the soil
does not becomc sufficiently dry and warm
to>allow much gardening that will be Of
any profit before the last of May or first
of June. The most Of seeds arc better off
in the house than in the ground before it
has become measurable warm and light.
But great gain may be made by prepar-
ing hot-bed in which seeds may be start
ed and enjoy protection from the cold
changes until weather and soil shall be
favorable to their growth. Many Of our
readers will have had their hot-beds pre-
pared, but it is not too late in this region
and farther north to make them ready,
especially where the object is to raise
plants for setting out in the open ground.


The principle Of the hot-bed is we'll
known, that of producing heat beneath
the soil by the fermentation of some sub
tance that will speedily undergo the pro-
cess and continue to ferment for some
considerable length Of time. We have
often given directions for the construction
of hot-beds, and our readers generally
have the means of constructing them with
little labor or expense. A warm expo
sure southerly if possible and protected by
a wall on the north, should be selected.
An excavation some eighteen or twenty
inches should be made and filed with
coarse, fresh stable manure, well worked
over and packed two feet deep. This
should be covered with garden mold about
six inches deep. The box enclosing the
bed may be two feet high in the rear,
sloping down to one foot in front and COW
cred with glazed sash. A few days with
the sash on will suffice to prepare it for
the reception of the seed.


The greatest difficulty is in the after
management and providing against sudden
changs of weather. To be successful with
the hot-bed, the temperature should be
kept as near as may be between 80 aud
70 degs. of heat. If the atmosphere is
liable to fall below 40, it is wise to furn-
ish Governing Of some kind to prevent it.
In a cloud or overcast day, the heat may
rise to go or 70 deg, without injury,
should the sash not be tilted but after
the young plants are week or ten days
old, it is better that they should have air
by raising the sash in the middle portion
of the day; and if under bright sun,
by all means covered with mats, or other
material from 8 o'clock, A. NJ, to 3
o'clock, p. NJ, while the plants are young
and tender. Plants in hot-beds are often
destroyed by too great heat, more espc-
cially on clear, sunny day. Some cov-
ering for the sashes is necessary to pre-
vent the lost of heat at night. Straw
mats will answer the purpose well. Wa
Ter in the evening, using water that has
stood in the sun during the day. Close
the sashes before the setting of the sun
and the chills of evening. To keep the
plants healthy and in thrifty state, avoid
the sudden alterations between heat to
cold. As the season advances and the
plants become strong, more air should be