64 Market Gardeimig. 



planks on the outside about half the height, putting in 

 spreaders to keep from crowding in. Let the ground 

 freeze about three inches deep, then cover the banking 

 with leaves or litter to keep out the frost. 



Supplying the Heat. 



If the bed is for lettuce, throw out the loam on the 

 back side of the bed to the depth of twenty-four inches 

 from the upper edge of the plank, and twenty-two 

 inches in front, and of the length required, so as to 

 make room for the manure. Prepare the required heat 

 by selecting moderately coarse horse manure four or 

 five days before using, turning it once or twice. A horse- 

 cart load containing about thirty-six feet is sufficient for 

 a bed six feet square, or for two sashes, the depth of 

 the manure being one foot. This should be trodden 

 down, and made smooth on top ; then put in the loam 

 from under the next two sashes, cover to the depth of 

 eight inches, and continue in this manner as far as 

 required ; then bring the loam which was taken from 

 the first two sashes, and put it under the last, which 

 completes the bed. 



For heating material, various articles are sometimes 

 used, such as hop waste from the breweries, cotton 

 waste, etc. ; but where fresh horse manure can be ob- 

 tained at anything like reasonable rates, it is far better, 

 and, all things considered, is actually more economical ; 

 as the manure can, of course, be used on the land 

 after it has served its purpose in the beds ; and it is 

 then, as ordinarily considered, worth half the original 

 cost. Then, too, where manure is used the ammonia 



