Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1869 — The Management of Hot-Beds. [ARTICLE]

The Management of Hot-Beds.

The making of a hot-bed is a very easy matter; when it is done, it lms to be properly cared for, and here is where many fail. The plants in the bed, naturally tender from the manner in which they have been raised, are in a confined space, with a heating medium below them which gives the air in which they are enclosed as high a temperature as they can well endure. If now this already heated space be made still hotter by the direct rays of the sun, the tender and succulent plants at once perish. As soon as the plants are up, the bed must have pot only daily attention, bnt at least twice daily—morning and afternoon. In the morning, about nine o’clock, the upper edge of the sash must be raised by means of a wedge-shaped block, the opening being more or less according to the interior temperature and the heat of the sun. This operation is termed “airing,” and by proper attention to it, injury from overheating may be avoided. In guarding against danger from heat, that from the opposite extreme should not be incurred. The sashes are to ];e closed in the afternoon when the force of the sun has abated, and on cold days opened very slightly or not at all.. Watering, when -required, is to he done from a watering-pot with a very fine "rose, so as to compactthe earth as little as possible. Weeds are 'sometimes troublesome in hotbeds, and they should never be allowed to get a start. — Ammcan Agriculturist.

—A model farm in Slower County, Minnesota, is owned and occupied by William Buck. It consists of 4SO acres, and was bought thirteen years ago at Government prices. It now has a handsome residence, and a barn which accommodates 160 head of cattle, 225 tons of hay, and 10,000 bushels of grain. In 186 S, S6OOO worth of stock was sold. There are now '-‘SO acres'under plow, and 120 acres in timothygrass. < —Youatt, in his book entitled “The Horse,” says this animal will never drink hard water if soft is within reach; that lie will leave clear, transparent, hard water, for a pool or stream of soft, even though the latter be discolored with mud. Very cold water from the well will make the hair rise up, and not unfrequently cause an attack of the gripes. Give soft water if practicable, especially if the animal be ailing.

—A cargo of wheat from California, which recently arrived in Boston, and was sold, returns a net loss to the parties interested of over twentytkousand dollars. —Two million and a hhlf pounds of butter were sent io Boston from Vermont in 1868. " " W ■\ i •