tj£ -OF "HOT BEDS. SECT. XIII. 



and manage. But beds made forward in the feafon 

 mould rather be on' the furface, for the fake of being 

 able to add the ilronger linings, Sec. 



The bed mould not be of greater dimenfions than 

 neceflary to hold the frame up firmly, i. e. three or 

 four inches wider every way, though fome approve of 

 making it fix, which may be proper if the frame is 

 fmall, as otherwife the body of dung might not hold 

 heat enough for the neceflary length of time. As a 

 guide tor laying the dung regular, (according to the 

 fizeof the frame) drivejlakes, of about the height the 

 bed is to be, at the four corners. 



It is the practice of fome gardeners, when they mould 

 the bed, to take the frame off, and lay it two or three 

 inches thick all over, and then put the frame on again. 

 This is done to guard againft {learning, and is proper 

 when the frames are (hallow : in this cafe, the bed mull 

 be fix inches wider every way than the frame, in order 

 to hold up the mould for the frame to reft upon. 



In cafe of an 'mfufficient quawtity of good horfe dung, 

 that of coius, oxen, or pigs, if it is frrawy, and not t:o 

 wet, may be mixed with ife, ni the proportion of one- 

 fourth, or upon a pinch more ; efpecially in an advanced 

 part of the feafon, or to cultivate things that are only 

 forcing, and do not naturally require heat. In the cafe 

 of a deficient quantity of proper materials alfo, fome dry 

 old worn-out horfe dung may be laid at bottom, and a 

 little of it on the top. OtTal hay may be mixed as the 

 bed is made ; or a little of mown grafs, or ivceds, efpe- 

 cially tor late made beds; but clear jl raw, well wetted, 

 rruy be put at the bottom a foot thick, and reckoned 

 about equal to five or fix inches of dung. Cucumbers 

 and melons have been raited uponjlraiv beds, mixed 

 with lea cod\ apjes ; and thus the rank fteam of dung 

 avoided, which fomctirnes injures plants, if it does 

 not give the fruit a lefs agreeable taftc than they other- 

 wife would have. Sti coal djhes among dung, has 

 keen recommended to continue the, heat of the bed, 



and 



