THE HOT-BED. 15 



same, shaking it well so as to mix the outside with the 

 other ; on the third day the manure will be fit to proceed 

 with, the manure having exhausted all the rank heat cre 

 ated in the fermentation ; this is termed mellowing, and pre- 

 vents the liability of burning the plants. One load will be 

 quite enough for a frame three feet by four. 



In forming the bed it will be necessary to drive a stake 

 to form each corner, the size of the bed which should be 

 five feet by six, this would be one foot wider than your 

 frame every way. The outlines being formed, commence 

 laying on the manure in layers, shaking and mixing it well 

 with the litter as you proceed, and beating it down with 

 the fork evenly, so that the top will be perfectly level; when 

 your bed is complete, it will be about three feet high ; then 

 take your frame and place it in the middle, and lay manure 

 all round the frame to near the top, to do which you must 

 reserve enough for the purpose ; the object of this is to cre- 

 ate all the warmth possible inside of the frame ; then put on 

 the sash, and when you discover the heat arise, which will 

 be exemplified by the steam on the glass, begin to lay on 

 the earth in the frame to the depth of four inches, observing 

 that the soil be not wet, or your bed may receive too great 

 a check to answer your purpose, and not return again. 

 This done you can sow your seeds in the soil or pans made 

 for the purpose ; pans are more desirable as no risk will be 

 run in having your seedlings burnt, as the pans can be 

 placed on top of the soil, and as the heat begins to subside 

 the pans can be sunk to the rims. The heat of a hot-bed 

 should not exceed 60 Fahrenheit for flower seeds. It will 

 be necessary to examine the degree of heat in the morning. 

 if higher than 60 the sash must be raised a little to give 



