SASH-BED CONSTRUCTION 23 



along the sides and in the corners, keeping it 

 as level as possible. Unless the hotbed is 

 made so that the frame settles with the 

 manure it must be filled to within 2 or 3 

 inches of the top of the south side of the 

 frame to provide for settling. If it is proper- 

 ly made, the temperature will soon rise to 

 120 degrees or more, but will gradually fall, 

 and when it reaches 90 degrees the seeds 

 may safely be sown. The temperature may 

 be determined by plunging a reliable ther- 

 mometer through the soil into the manure. 

 When a hotbed is arranged to be heated 

 by flues, drain or sewer tile is used, and the 

 flues are connected with a fireplace at one end 



Fig. 9. Hotbed arranged for heating by flues 



of the bed and a chimney at the other, so 

 that the smoke and heat from the fire travel 

 the whole length of the bed. Hot water or 



