ON COMMON DUNG BEDS. 25 



lantern, as pointed out for the seed-bed ; and if 

 satisfied on this important point, from twelve to 

 eighteen inches thick of peat-earth may be put 

 on, to form the hillocks for the reception of the 

 plants ; taking care that as little as possible of 

 the surface of the bed be covered therewith, for 

 the less heat there is confined under the mould, 

 the less liable will the roots be to receive injury ; 

 independently of the value of the sweet steam 

 from the dung bed, which should be allowed to 

 rise as much as possible round the plants it 

 being what they delight in, and also of the 

 utmost importance in drying them. After the 

 mould has been in the frame twenty-four hours, 

 it will be sufficiently warm for the plants to be 

 ridged out. To do this, make a hole in the top 

 of each hillock, and place the pot containing the 

 plant in it ; you will then be able to judge as to 

 the proper distance it should be from the glass, 

 which may vary from six to nine inches. Hav- 

 ing determined this point, turn out of the pot, by 

 reversing it, the plant with its ball of earth 



