296 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



A hotbed possesses merits peculiarly its own over every other 

 form of artificial heating. In the first place, the atmosphere 

 produced within the frame is especially genial and favourable 

 to young growth, and in the nexf, after it has served its primary 

 purpose hi the raising of seeds, its utility as a valuable manure is 

 not to be despised. Again, after the earliest seedlings have been 

 produced the frame and the hotbed may be used with profitable 

 effect for the summer growth of cucumbers or melons. 



How, then, should a hotbed be made ? Diagram 47 gives 

 some valuable hints in regard to its construction ; but before the 

 processes there depicted are reached it will be necessary for the 

 gardener to determine how large a hotbed he requires, and to 

 order the proper quantity of stable manure accordingly. For the 

 amateur's single-light frame say four feet six by three in which 

 it is desired to maintain a growing temperature from the end of 

 February to the beginning of April, at least two loads of manure 

 will be necessary This should be absolutely fresh from the 

 stable, and it should consist half of manure and half of straw 

 stable litter. Avoid, above all things, manure with which peat 

 moss and sawdust have been incorporated. If possible, have the 

 fresh stable manure brought to the garden a week or ten days 

 before it is intended to make up the hotbed. This is necessary, 

 so that the manure may be got into proper condition for use. 



The composition should be formed into a conical heap directly 

 it arrives. Every hard clump or clot must be broken up and the 

 litter shaken out with a fork. Where hi places the straw has 

 become dry or mildewed, it should be watered with a rose-can and 

 be well incorporated with the rest of the material. When the 

 whole heap has thus been turned over and carefully formed, it 

 should be allowed to stand for a couple of days. By that time, so 

 strong will the process of fermentation have become that the 

 mass will be steaming hot 



The operation of turning the whole heap over must now be 

 repeated, care being taken to see that what was first at the top 

 and outside is now at the bottom and in the centre of the mound. 

 As each layer, a foot or so in depth, is placed hi position water 



