78 TRUCK-FABMING AT THE SOUTH. 



S8, too much wind for frost; 29th, therm. 30, ice; 

 April 14th, first Chuck-will's-widow. 



1856. March 26th, cloudy, wind W.; 27th, wind N. 

 W.; 28th, ice; April 7th, first Chuck- will's-widow. 



1857. April 6th, rain, wind S. W.; 7th, wind N. W., 

 therm. 40, frost; March 29th, first Chuck-will's-widow. 



1858. March 5th, therm. 37, frost; April 8th, first 

 Chuck-will's-widow. 



1859. March 18th, rain; 19th, therm. 44, wind N. 

 W.; 20th, frost, but light several times in April only 

 prevented by wind; April 4tb, first Chuck-wilPs-widow. 



I860. March 27th, cloudy; 28th, wind W.; 29th, 

 heavy frost; April 5th, first Chuck-will's-widow. 



1861. March 18th, rain; 19th, wind N. W., snow; 

 20th, therm. 39, frost; April 10th, first Chuck-will's- 

 widow. 



It will be seen from the above, that cold weather was 

 invariably either preceded by rain, or cloudy weather, 

 the probability being that there was rain somewhere in 

 the district. 



TO MAKE A HOT-BED. 



The material most frequently used for the formation 

 of hot-beds, when a considerable degree of heat is re- 

 quired, is stable manure, that of well-fed horses being 

 the most effective. When a lower temperature suffices, 

 a steady heat may be obtained by mixing vegetable mat- 

 ter, like leaves, spent tan bark, etc., with the stable ma- 

 nure. I have used with advantage a layer of our long 

 moss (Tillandsia usneoides), about one foot thick, below 

 one of stable manure, for forcing sweet potato draws, or 

 sets. This moss, when taken up at the end of the season 

 and cleaned, was in a merchantable condition as black 

 moss. The manure, without too much litter, should be 

 thrown from the stables into a conical heap, and kept 

 moist for four or five days, when it should be turned 



