HOT-BEDS. 113 



in autumn, or a heap of dung may be deposited on the 

 ground intended for the beds before the frost sets in, and 

 good earth may be obtained from the pits without any diffi- 

 culty. 



The frames should be made of good sound planks ; the 

 back plank may be two feet wide, and the end ones may be 

 so sloped as to make a fifteen-inch plank do for the front. 

 A frame calculated for four sashes, of three feet in width by 

 six in length, as above described, should be nearly thirteen 

 feet long, and about six broad at the top. 



The frame being set over the pit, and properly fastened, 

 the fresh dung should be spread regularly in the pit to the 

 depth of twenty to twenty-four inches ; if the dung be in a 

 good heating condition, cover it six or eight inches deep 

 with mould, then lay on the sashes, and protect the beds 

 from the inclemency of the weather. In two or three days 

 the rank steam will pass off; it will then be necessary to stir 

 the mould before the seed be sown, to prevent the growth 

 of young weeds that may be germinating ; then sow the 

 seed either in shallow drills or broad-cast, as equally as pos- 

 sible, reserving a small quantity of the warm mould to be 

 sown lightly over the seed. The beds should afterward 

 be attended to, as directed for Broccoli and Cauliflower. 

 This description of a hot-bed is intended expressly for the 

 raising of Spring Cabbage, Lettuce, Tomatoes, and such 

 other plants as may be required for early planting. Beds 

 made earlier in the season, or for forcing, will require a 

 greater quantity of manure. [See Calendar for January, 

 February, and March.] 



10* 



