16 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



vent to the surplus steam to prevent accident. In the day 

 time it may be necessary to shade the young plants or give 

 air when the heat of the sun is great, as your bed must be 

 due south for the benefit of the morning sun, and a dry sit- 

 uation is requisite. The glass must be covered with boards 

 or mats at night to keep out the frost ; in three weeks the 

 heat of the bed will be diminished ; then take away the 

 manure round the sides of the frame and replace it with 

 fresh ; this will renew the heat for some time longer ) or 

 you can make another bed alongside ; by doing so consid- 

 erable heat will be conveyed into the first, thus receiving 

 the benefit and use of two frames if necessary. Unless the 

 amateur has had some experience in flowers it would bs 

 advisable to make a hot-bed of tanners bark, which can be 

 done in the following manner. Sink a frame in the ground 

 about three feet, then procure a load of fresh tanners bark, 

 which should be put under a shed and be turned over often 

 until dry, then fill the pit to within six inches of the top for 

 seed, which must be sown in pans, which should be sunk to 

 the rim- then place the glass over and manage the same as 

 the other hot-bed. There will be no danger of burning the 

 plants, as the heat arising from the bark is gentle and will 

 last much longer than one made of stable manure. Plants 

 that require bottom heat to start them must be so managed 

 as not to interfere with the glass, or the steam and sun will 

 disfigure them. 



