THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



gen. The application of compost containing a 

 good deal of coal ashes will improve the mechani- 

 cal condition of the soil. 



The hotbed is a simple device which sooner or 

 later you must have after making a home in the 

 country. The essentials are nothing more than a 

 long and rather narrow box, in which you secure 

 bottom heat, and over which you place a sash of 

 glass. Nowadays these are generally built directly 

 upon the ground. Some of them are half in the 

 ground, and half out. It is thought by the best 

 horticulturists that the pit should be quite shallow, 

 to prevent the heat being drawn from the manure 

 into the cold earth. The heat is supplied by the 

 fermentation of horse manure. This manure 

 should be used when fresh, with about half the 

 quantity of straw or litter. Pile it four or five feet 

 high, with the top level. To hasten fermentation 

 you may sprinkle it with hot water. Turn the heap 

 occasionally, to secure a more uniform ferment. 

 When this is secured build your bed for seed. The 

 wall around this bed may be either plank or brick. 

 It must be placed on a slope where the drainage will 

 be perfect. Spread in the bottom a little coarse 

 stuff, and upon this a couple of feet of manure. 



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