Many varieties of flowers can scarcely be brought to perfection without the assistance of hot-bed or cold-frame, and much care is often necessary in transplanting, sheltering, and pricking out the young plants. It is a work that requires much experience, and no doubt many disappointments will naturally occur. Still, a hot-bed is a necessity, without the aid of which many of our choicest and most beautiful flowers cannot be successfully grown. Experience is a rapid teacher, and the lover of flowers is an apt scholar.

How To Make A Hot-Bed

A hot-bed that may be used for the germination of either flower or garden seeds, may be made at little expense in the following manner: If possible, it should be built against the south side of a shed or board fence, as this arrangement will protect it from winds and will increase the heat. Construct a box or frame of boards, two feet high on the side that is to face the south, and one and one-half feet higher on the opposite side; when the frame is in place, fill it with nearly fresh manure from a horse stable, to the depth of one and a half feet. Fit sashes, with panes of glass lapping like shingles, over the top, and let it stand two or] three days, or longer if the weather is cold; now fill in on top of the manure from four to six inches of good, rich, finely pulverized garden soil, which, if of stiff clay, should be mixed with sand, and cover the bed as before; leave it for a few days, taking the precaution to raise a bank of earth around the outside of the frame to further protect it. After a few days, stir the soil and sow the seeds in drills marked with flat sticks. Label the sticks with each variety.

Give the bed fresh air each day, and sprinkle ,with warm water as often as may be required.

Use great care in attending to the bed. When the day is warm the sash should be lifted, and replaced at night, and unless it is cold enough to chill the plants, fresh air should be admitted, at all times.

It sometimes happens that the bed "heats," and it is necessary then to watch it closely. Examine it by plunging the hand down several inches; if it is hot, remove the sash, use water, not cold, and make deep holes in the bed with sticks for the escape of heat, and fill them up when the heat is reduced. If the nights are very cold, cover the frame with mats or blankets. If such a frame is made large enough, garden vegetables can be had several weeks earlier than when grown in the ordinary manner.

Flowers may also be raised by planting the seeds in the pots intended for them, and sinking them in the hot-bed.