'T2 



may forwaid your cmps irom two to four weeks. Op- 

 erations of this kind, of necessity must be of a limit- 

 ed character. 



Hd Bed^.— [:nc[ev the head of '^Took md Tool Ilovse;' 

 i\^e have spoken of the frame and sash necessary for 

 the covering of a Hot Bed. In this article we pur- 

 pose to speak of the making of the bed, its materials, 

 and its after management. There are several sub- 

 stances emploj^ed to produce artificial heat, among 

 which, are, grass, Tanner's spent bark, leaves, and 

 green manure. Unfermented horse manure is un- 

 doubtedly the best article in use. Heat is generatedj 

 hy its fermentation. To produce this, air and moist- 

 ure are necessary. Throw the manure into a conical 

 shaped pile, and if the weather is cold or stormy, cov- 

 er it with Utter. After it has lain in this condition 

 tliree or four days, it should be shaken over and piled 

 again, and if any part should appear dry, it should be 

 watered. Pursue this course until the larger part of 

 the straw is browned. The object is to get rid of the 

 violent heat and vapor that arises. Care should be 

 taken that this process is not carried too far, as there 

 would not be sutHcient heat left to force the plants 

 and give them a good, healthy appearance. Having- 

 prei>ared your manure, mark the size of your frame 

 upon the grounrl, and then with a fork spread the ma- 

 nure so that it shall project six inches beyond each 

 side of the frame. Pursue this method, beating each 



'layer with the spade, until the pile is from two to four 

 feet high according to the season of the year, and the 

 plants to be foiled, if the weather is dry and warm, 



t it will require less thnn if it is wet and cold. If the 



'• heat becomes exhausted, it may be restored in a mea- 

 wu^e, by a "linmg". First, cut the manure even with 

 the frame and remove it; make some holes through 

 the bed, and then with manure that is just beginning 

 t6 heat, fill these places vand also those caused by the 



•removal of the- manure upon the outside of the frame. 



