“House-raised plants are never so thrifty as those raised in hotbeds and cold frames.’ In the latter the growth is quicker, more uniform and the process of hardening off can be begun, as it should be, a month after the plants have made their appearance. Cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, egg-plants, and onions go into the hotbed; lettuce; beets, cabbage, etc., into the cold frame; although all may be planted in the hotbed if necessary, Larger onions can be raised in this way than from the sets, and of far better quality. Prize-taker for fall use, and Red and .Yellow Southport for winter use, is a good selection. Onions and beets transplant readily, and with almost no loss.
” Be careful in the use of water in both hotbed and cold frame. Too little is better than too much. If you water too often, the plants will damp off; that is, wither in the stem and die.
” If you cannot raise a good crop of peas or beans, your garden is probably sour. ‘Air-slaked lime, not water-slaked, at the rate of 25 to 30 bushels of burnt lime to the’ acre, will correct the acidity. It is better to spread the lime in the fall. Wood ashes, in liberal quantities, put on in the spring, will also sweeten a sour soil, be-sides adding potash and phosphoric acid, and improving the physical condition of the garden. Never use coal ashes for fertilizer; they have no value. If you have been troubled by wire worms or snails, fall plowing, followed by an application of kainit at the rate of 1,000 pounds an acre, will rid the land of these.
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