* 







52 FLOWER GARDEN FRAMING, &c. [FSIUAIY. 



of the finest and more tender annuals, it is time, about 

 the 20th of the month, to collect and prepare manure 

 "* . fpr the desired hotbed. And, as that operation, in 

 many instances, is very imperfectly performed, a few 

 observations on the subject may be useful. 



Take three parts of fresh hot stable manure, with 

 one part of fresh oak leaves. Have a sufficient quan- 

 tity to make the intended bed or beds from three to 

 four feet high. Shake and mix up both together in a # V 

 compact conical heap, in order to encourage fermenta- 

 tion. If the weather is cold and windy, cover it with 

 straw or leaves and boards, which is necessary to pro- 

 duce the desired effect. If fermentation soon takes 

 place, it will need to be thoroughly turned over in 

 eight or ten days. If any of it has become dry and 

 musty from excessive heat, as you proceed, water the 

 affected parts, pile all up neatly, and leave it protected 

 in part as before. In five or six days more, it will 

 have to be turned again, repeating it until the first ex- 

 treme heat has been over. In neglect of this, the heat, 

 after making up the bed, will be vehement for a week 

 or two, frequently destroying the vegetative purity of 

 the soil, and proving destructive to the seeds. 



Allowing the manure to come to a lively heat, hav- 

 ing no unpleasant, rancid smell, proceed to mark off 

 your intended bed, running it east and west as nearly 

 as possible, measure your frame, and allow the site of 

 the bed eight inches each way larger than the frame : 

 at the corners place a stick or rod perpendicularly. 

 The ground ought to be higher than that around it, to 

 prevent water from getting into the bed, which, if low, 



