Manure Hot-Beds. — 65 



not general. Many growers fear the uncertainties connected 

 with this method of heating beds. The yeast fungus, which is 

 the cause of fermentation, if once introduced into a manure heap 

 suitable to its growth, spreads quite rapidly, and soon has the 

 whole mass in a state of heat. Horse manure is the best because 

 richest or " hottest," for this purpose, and sheep manure comes 

 next. The manure made from animals fed highly with grain, 

 bran, oil meal, etc., is most suitable. It should contain plenty of 

 urine-soaked litter; and the addition of half its bulk of dry forest 

 leaves, especially after they have been used as absorbents in the 

 stables, is always of advantage. The object in view is the pro- 

 duction of uniform and immediate heat all through the bed, and 

 for this reason the spores or seed of fermentation should be 

 spread all through the manure heap, and the latter 

 thus tempered — leavened, as it were. To do this, draw the 

 manure to a convenient place near the hot-beds, and pile it up in 

 a conical heap, leaving it there until fermentation has well started 

 in. In very cold weather it may be necessary to cover the pile 

 lightly with straw, hay, or other loose litter to prevent freezing 

 from the outside before the heating has begun. Before fermen- 

 tation becomes too lively, 

 as indicated by escaping 

 steam, the heap may be 

 forked over again, and 

 piled up as before for a 

 few days to heat, or 

 thrown immediately into 

 the pit, taking pains to 

 mix the fermenting part 

 all through the whole 

 mass, and to break 

 up all lumps. If the 

 manure is already very 



hot at this time, tread it down firmly; but if fermentation has 

 only just set in lightly, leave the manure in the pit somewhat 

 loose, and fill up clear to the top of frames. In settling, a 

 depression is apt to form all along the middle of the bed, and 

 right there the manure should be packed more solid than at the 

 sides. Now put on the sashes, and leave until fermentation 

 has again become quite active all through the bed; then tread 

 down solid, even off where needed, and cover with soil about 

 six inches deep. Soil, to be in best condition for this purpose, 

 should have been prepared the fall previous, and be kept safe 

 from freezing until wanted. It must be rich and fine, and consist 

 of about one-third well-rotted compost, and two-thirds good 

 loam, rotten turf, etc. 



The beds should now be left until the soil has become 

 5 



Hot-bed cross section. 



