480 VILLA GARDENING part v 



the site of the bed, which should occupy a sheltered position, as the 

 wind is very detrimental to steady heating. The wliole should be 

 shaken and mixed together, and when warm, in tlie course of a 

 week or so, it should be turned over, throwing the outsides into the 

 middle, and watering any dry spot which may sliow itself In the 

 course of another week the bed may be made up, applying just the 

 requisite amount of pressiu'e as the bed is built up to ensure 

 regular steady warmth. Without air there can, of course, be no 

 fermentation, and consequently no warmth ; but unless sufficient 

 pressure is applied to drive out some of the air tlie heat will be 

 more than is required, and the heat-giving properties of the 

 materials will be unduly and prematurely exhausted. There is a 

 certain amount of heat in a given bulk of material, and it is in so 

 regulating this by pressure as to produce the requisite warmth in 

 the bed that the skill of the operator shows itself Linings can 

 be added when necessary to keep uj) the temi)erature. As regards 

 raising tlie plants, the same treatment as recommended for raising 

 plants for house-planting will be necessary. Plant in light soil, 

 one seed in each small jjot, and plunge the pots in the bed, guard- 

 ing them from mice and insect attacks. When the young plants 

 appear above ground the beds should be built up to receive 

 them, and as soon as the heat is regular and steady plant out in 

 hills of warm soil placed in the middle of each light. Everything 

 about the frames should be clean and sweet. If the frames have 

 not been painted they should be washed with soap and water, and 

 the lights also should be cleaned, so that a maxinuun of light may 

 be admitted. It is comparatively easy to tell when the bed is fit 

 to receive the plants. Some people who desire to be exact insert a 

 thermometer just within the bed, inside the frame. When the 

 temperature drops to 80° or so the hills are placed within, and in 

 a day or two the plants are turned out. If the moisture which 

 condenses upon the glass and hangs in drops fi'om the sash-bars of 

 the lights is clear and colourless, the bed is sweet and free from 

 noxious gases, and generally the plants -will be safe. Practical 

 gardeners do not often use thermometers to denote the temperature 

 of a hotbed ; most of them thrust in a stick a considerable depth, 

 drawing it out occasionally to test its warmth by holding the warm 

 end in the hand for a few seconds, and as soon as the heat declines 

 to a nice comfortable warmth the bed is safe for the i)lants. The 

 longer the building of the bed is delayed the less care will be 

 needed, as beds made up in February or March will not run so 

 many risks as those done earlier in the year. The application of 



Top-Dressings will be as necessary in frame as in house-culture ; 

 and liquid manure, after bearing commences, is also quite as neces- 



