VEGETABLES 61 



the manure is sufficiently made, and can be put 

 into beds. When the manure has become brown 

 without being rotten, it can be used without danger, 

 for then the straw has lost its consistency, and its 

 smell will resemble the odour of fresh mushrooms. 



A heap of less than a cubic yard can hardly be 

 handled properly. 



The best way of constructing the beds is to 

 give them a height from nineteen inches to twenty- 

 three inches, with the width nearly equal at the 

 base. 



When a large space is to be laid out, beds in 

 sloping form or with a shelving edge are preferable, 

 as they can be of unlimited length whilst keeping 

 the height and breadth named. The breadth, on 

 the contrary, ought to be less than the height when 

 the beds lean against a wall. Beds can be made 

 in old tubs sawn in two or upon planks. In the 

 latter case they have given to them the shape of a 

 cone, or more like a heap of stones which one sees 

 by the roadside. The manure ought to be easily 

 divided, and when putting it in its place the parts 

 which form clods should be broken, and the compact 

 portions mixed with the strawy parts and all well 

 stirred together. The manure should be trampled 

 over three or four times, and then all projecting 

 pieces removed, so that the surface is firm and 

 smooth. 



After the beds are made it will be necessary to 

 wait a few days before putting in order to see 

 whether fermentation begins again. 



Use a thermometer, and if the temperature 

 is above 86° Fahr. the bed is too warm ; then 

 aerate the bed by pushing a stick into it, so 

 that the heat can escape from the holes. As soon 



