Hotbeds for Early Flowers 



207 



firmly, especially at the sides and corners. If the gardener is not rushed for 

 time, it is well to let the manure lie loose for a few days, during which 

 time it will heat again. Put on the sash, but ventilate day and night until 

 the steam passes off. During this process most of the ammonia escapes, 

 which is desirable for this purpose, as the manure is useful for its heat alone, 

 and not for plant food. When a thermometer, sunk in the manure and allowed 

 to remain a few minutes, shows a temperature of less than 100 degrees, the 



If one is to have a hotbed every year, it is usually better to use heavier lumber, and to mortise the corners together 



bed is ready for use. I like to use two cubic yards of fresh manure to each 

 sash of three by six. 



Seeds may be sown directly in the soil covering the manure, in which 

 case the soil should be about six inches deep; or, if sown in shallow 

 boxes, which are placed directly on the soil, the earth covering may be 

 only three inches deep. 



When the young plants are up, shade a little wn'th open lath frames, 

 or strew litter lightly over the glass on hot, sunny days, and ventilate by 

 raising the leeward side of the sash. 



