French Garden. Crops, &c. 91 



cannot be improved upon the experienced gardener must use 

 his own judgment in the matter but as every detail has been 

 tested and proved to work successfully it is advisable that the 

 beginner should follow the instructions very closely. 



Hot-beds are started at various times throughout the winter 

 months, according to the ideas of the individual grower and his 

 command of good stable manure. Where this can be obtained 

 plentifully at a nominal price there is no reason why crops 

 should not be produced the year round, but under ordinary 

 conditions mid-winter crops cannot be produced at a profit. It 

 has been found, by practical experience, that in a garden of 

 moderate size the second week in January is the best time to 

 begin, and the dates of sowing given in the previous chapter 

 have been arranged with this time in view. 



A week or two previous to commencing the hot-beds, the 

 section intended for them should be covered a few inches deep 

 with long manure, so as to prevent the ground from getting 

 frozen. Before the bed is begun all necessary material should 

 be collected and placed close at hand, so that when a start is 

 made the work can proceed expeditiously. 



Hot-beds for Frames. These are made first. The prepared 

 decayed manure or compost for topping the beds should have 

 previously been laid on the section they are to occupy, in ridges 

 about 3ft. wide and 2ft. Gin. high, each ridge coming opposite 

 the centre of the position to be occupied by a frame. The 

 ridges should stop 6ft. from the north end of the section, so as 

 to leave room for making the first bed, and extra compost should 

 be put at the south end of the ridges to afford sufficient to cover 

 the last bed. If there is any likelihood of frost when the compost 

 is wheeled out long manure should be laid over it. 



In beginning to make the bed, lay across the north end of 

 the section two rows of manure one of new and one of that 

 which has been stacked for the longest time (see page 82). 

 Alternate forkfuls of each of these rows is shaken out, and 

 laid in position about 9in. thick ; this is beaten down with the 

 back of the fork and then another Gin. or 9in. is put on top of it 

 and also beaten down. As the work proceeds the manure is 

 trodden down firmly and evenly, and hollow places are levelled 



