MELONS MAKING HOTBEDS. ^ 



wards 3J feet, the beds in all cases being 6 inches higher at the back than the heights 

 named. 



To make the bed, mark out a space 6 inches wider all round than the frame, and so 

 that this when placed on the bed will face due south. If the site is wet, spread a layer 

 of fagots on the ground for building on. Place a layer of the prepared material on 

 them, shaking it well and evenly over the area, and beat it down with the fork. 

 Continue placing layer upon layer in the same manner, doing it neatly, keeping the 

 sides perpendicular and firm until the required height is reached. If the bed is trodden 

 it must be evenly, but well-beaten beds are the best. 



If the bed is for raising plants the frame is better with an inner lining formed of 

 J-inch boards, less in depth by 9 inches at the back and 6 inches in front than the frame, 

 kept an inch from the box by nailing narrow strips of board upright on the inside, so as 

 to form an inch cavity all round, and thus top heat is furnished by means of linings against 

 the sides of the box. The heat will rise in about a week. Level the surface of the 

 bed, and put in sufficient manure to raise the inside to within 4 inches of the top of the 

 inner frame, placing sawdust, leafsoil or spent tan on the manure for plunging the pots 

 in. If the bed is intended for fruiting plants, a stick should be thrust into it from the 

 outside, just below the frame, reaching to the centre. In about a week draw the stick 

 out and clasp the end of it ; if the heat is not more than the hand can bear, the frame 

 should be taken off, and the surface levelled by adding some fresh yet sweetened mate- 

 rial. If the heat is greater than the hand can bear, draw the lights down a little to allow 

 the vapour to pass off, and defer levelling the bed until the heat is reduced. A surer 

 method is to have a dipping thermometer with the bulb 6 inches below the surface. 

 "When this reads 100 there is no danger, and when a candle will burn in the frame the 

 air is sweet. Beds formed in the manner described are for lining from the bottom. 

 This is essential early in the season, but beds not made up before the end of March 

 should be 18 inches wider than the frame all round, and linings placed against the sides 

 of the frame will be sufficient during the summer. 



Soiling the Bed. Enough moderately dry soil should be placed on the surface of 

 the bed to prevent too much heat and vapour rising a couple of inches in thickness 

 will suffice ; then place half a barrowful of compost in the centre of each light. This 

 should be in a moderately dry condition, yet moist enough for the healthy ramification 

 of the roots through it. These mounds should be in the form of a cone, with the top 

 flattened so that the depth of compost is about 9 inches, exclusive of the soil with which 



