72 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
facilitated in a wonderful manner. Cuttings of all kinds take root 
in a remarkably short space of time, and seeds germinate so quickly, 
that those who have been accustomed to raise seedlings in the green- 
house or similar structures are usually quite startled by the rapidity 
with which the seedlings make their appearance. It would, indeed, 
be difficult to place too high an estimate upon the assistance a hot- 
bed is capable of affording to the amateur and professional gardener 
alike, for it is not only useful for raising seedlings and the striking 
of cuttings, but it is also of immense value for starting such things 
as achimenes, caladiums, and gloxinias, which commence to grow 
more vigorously when the soil is warmed by the heat derived from 
a bed of fermenting materials. Having thus far set forth the 
advantages of a hotbed, it is proper to say that its formation is 
attended with considerable expense and some little trouble. The 
manure must be fresh from the stable, or nearly so, and this, in 
some localities, is difficult to obtain, and unless it is well made and 
carefully managed the results will be unsatisfactory, and much dis- 
appointment will ensue. Therefore, those who determine to have a 
hotbed should make up their minds to form it in the best possible 
manner, and not to begrudge the time that must be devoted to its 
management. 
Stable manure that has not been laid in a heap a sufficient time 
to become exhausted must form the staple, but it is not necessary 
the bed should consist exclusively of that expensive material. To 
be of any real service, it must be of considerable size, and very 
often the bulk may be increased by the addition to the manure of 
dry leaves or dry litter of some kind. In very many places, there 
is a lot of dry, littery hay and straw of no use whatever, excepting 
to harbour rats, and in the formation of a hotbed this may be made 
to do good service. Litter and leaves will help to increase the bulk 
and prolong the heat, for by preventing a too rapid fomentation the 
mauure wiil not be so soon exhausted, and'the heat will consequently 
be retained a greater length of time. The length and width of the 
bed will, of course, be regulated by the dimensions of the frame to 
be placed upon it, but it should be not less than four feet high when 
made up, for if of a less height it will, as the gardeners say, sink 
down to nothing before it has half done its work. If sufficient 
materials can be obtained, it ought to exceed the frame in length 
and width by about three or four feet, as the heat is not so soon 
blown out of it as when it is only just large enough to receive the 
frame. 
To make up a thoroughly good bed, the materials must be in a 
nice moist state, and if, when they are taken in hand, they appear 
too dry to ferment quickly, throw a few cans of water over the 
heap. The first step to be taken is to well shake out the manure 
and whatever materials are to be added to it, and in doing so, form 
a compact heap. In about three days it will have become quite hot, 
if of the degree of moisture already mentioned, and it will require 
turning over. As in the formation of the heap, the manure must, 
in the turning over, be shaken out lightly, and if it has become dry 
in the centre of the heap, it must have a few cans of water thrown 
