HOTBED 131 



them into a gradually cooler and freer atmosphere in order 

 to harden them off, so that they may go into the open ground 

 without danger. On every pleasant day, raise the sash at 

 the upper end 1 or 2 inches, or if the sun shines brightly 

 and the wind does not blow, give even more air ; and even- 

 tually strip off the sashes entirely. It is very important that 

 the plants are not kept too close and grown too soft. It is 

 usually advisable to sow cabbage, lettuce and other hardy 

 plants in different frames from tomatoes and other tender 

 things, in order that the proper requirements may be given 

 to each. At night the Hotbeds (at least early in the season) 

 will need more protection than the glass sash. It was for- 

 merly the custom to use thick rye -straw mats to cover Hot- 

 beds, but it is now a common practice to use the straw 

 matting which can be bought of carpet dealers. This 

 is rolled out on the sashes at night in one or two thick- 

 nesses ; and if the weather is sharp, board shutters, the 

 size of the sash, may be laid on top. As the manure heat 

 begins to fail give more and more air, so that the plants 

 may be able to shift for themselves when the bottom heat is 

 finally exhausted. 



Fresh horse manure is the material which is commonly 

 used for the heating of Hotbeds. If it can be secured from 

 livery stables, so that it is all of nearly or quite the same age, 

 better results may be expected. Manure from highly fed 

 horses usually heats better than that from horses which re- 

 ceive little grain, or in which there is very much litter. Put 

 the manure in a pile, preferably under cover, and as soon as 

 it shows signs of heating, fork it over in order to mix the 

 entire mass and to cause it to heat evenly. When it is 

 steaming throughout the whole mass, it may be put in the 

 bed. Assuming that the Hotbed has a pit beneath it, it is 

 well to put in 2 or 3 inches of coarse litter in order to keep 

 the manure off the cold ground. The manure is then put in 

 and tramped down, in layers of 4 to 6 inches each. If the 

 manure is of the right consistency, it will pack without be- 



