Excerpt: THE time for starting the hot-beds varies according to the ideas of the individual grower. There is no good reason except that of expense why crops should not be produced the year round without a break. It is doubtful whether mid-winter crops pay to produce except under special conditions, where manure can be obtained at a nominal price. A little con­sideration will make it apparent that the demand at such a time is very limited; whilst the quantity of fermenting material required to maintain a succession of hot-beds until mild weather makes them unnecessary is very great.