SECT. Xlll. OF HOT BEDS. 1*2 



and to moderate it, in the proportion of one- fifth or 

 fixth part; tanners bark has been ufed in the fame 

 way ; and thefe have been fometimes mixed generally, 

 and at others in layers three or four to a bed. 



The making of a hot bed is performed thus : lay 

 f.une of the moll ftrawy dung at bottom, and keep 

 that which appears leaft worked toward the middle. 

 Let all be well broke, and laid evenly without lumps > 

 keeping the ends and fides upright, Jor rather hanging 

 over) not fuffering them to draw in, left the bed be 

 made too little for the frame, or fhould thus catch 

 wet. Having laid it about half a yard high, moft 

 gardeners trample it with the feet fet clofe, and again 

 when raifed a foot higher v and laftly when near 

 rimmed; but beating it down well with the back of 

 the fork is by fome gardeners thought fufheient, ex- 

 ceot indeed the dung be frefh and ftrawy, and then 

 trampling ought to be ufed. The cleaner dung is, it 

 mult not only be more trampled, but more wetted, and 

 the greater quantity of it ufed. To make beds of un\ 

 foiled Jt raw, it is recommended to lay it in a pond for 

 two or three days, and then to throw it in a heap to 

 drain and heat a little firft. 



If any dung is to be ufed dire&Iy from the flable, let 

 it be equally mixed with the reft; but if there is a 

 coldnefs in the other dung, it will bring the heat for- 

 warder, by laying a good part of the frefh in the 

 middle, which will foon kindle, and fpread warmth. 

 The litter that is made ufe of for this purpofe fhould 

 be foul ; and if not, it may be made fo, by mixing 

 cow or hog dung with it, or rather by collecting the 

 draining from a farmer's muck hill, and fprinkling with 

 it ; which helps to fermentation. 



The heft fori of dung is that of bean f raw, next 

 wheat, rye, cats, and barley. When the feafon is 

 pretty much advanced, hot beds may be made of grafs 

 mowings, (as from an orchard) and weeds, which is 

 a common practice in the. cyder countries. Thefe 



I 3 heats, 



