HOTBEDS AND COLD FRAMES. 85 



rich, unfermented horse manure, six inches of fine ricli 

 earth, rising to within ten inches of the top of the bar- 

 rel, the open top covered with a discarded window sash. 

 We do not recommend such a hotbed, but it is an exam- 

 ple of the simplicity with which one can be made. Witli 

 a full understanding of the cardinal principles of so 

 applying the manure as to make it hold the heat of fer- 

 mentation, to handle the sash so as to collect and accu- 

 mulate tlie sun's heat, it matters little what form tlie 

 box assumes. 



The location of the hotbed has much to do with its 

 success or failure. It should only be placed on land 

 always free from flooding, preferably on a declivity, with 

 good subsoil drainage, sheltered from cold winds, and 

 facing south or southeast. As an example of a hotbed 

 frame, we will describe it as a box for one, two or four 

 sashes, each seven feet long by three and one-quarter feet 

 wide. This dimension of sashes is given because it is 

 easy to handle. The width named will allow for four 

 lengths of 8x10 glass placed lengthwise. Whatever the 

 dimensions of the sashes, all should be alike, so as to 

 be interchangeable. The frame may be permanent, of 

 brick or stone, or, temporary, of boards. The frame 

 may be regularly built by a carpenter, with strong cor- 

 ner pieces, or the gardener can do all the work himself 

 and attain just as practical results. Doing the work 

 himself, he may proceed as follows : The length and 

 breadth of the bed having been decided upon, excavate 

 a space two feet wider and two feet longer than the indi- 

 cated dimensions. After the excavation is completed, 

 drive down at the four corners, and at intervals between 

 the corners, posts of proper lengths, four by four inches 

 square, to which nail the side boards ; the posts on the 

 back of the frame rising twelve to fifteen inches above 

 the surface level, and those in front of the frame six to 

 eight inches, nailing the boards only to those portions 



