244 ^^^ CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



center of the upper side of the board, saw this piece off and 

 put it on the other end of the board. This makes the plank 

 fifteen inches wide at the top and sloping to nine inches at the 

 bottom ; prepare a similar plank and your ends are ready. 

 Fasten the planks together with bolts in the form of a box 

 and put braces across every three feet to support the sash. 



The bolts used are ten inched long, half inch in diameter. 

 Take these to a blacksmith and have him knock off the heads, 

 flatten the bolt for about six inches, leaving the thread the 

 same, and have two holes bored through the flattened end of 

 the bolt. These holes are made in order that the bolt can be 

 screwed to the inside of the plank. The thread end of the 

 bolt goes through the plank next to it and is fastened with 

 a nut, making the frame solid. 



The object of having these frames movable is because 

 they will not be in use more than four or five months in the 

 year, and by taking them in the frames will last twice as long. 



The pit is now dug, which must be in a place well drained 

 and sheltered from the wind. The drainage is of great impor- 

 tance, .for in case the heating material should become thor- 

 oughly cooked, the bed would be spoiled for the season. The 

 pit is dug ijE/^ to 2 feet deep and large enough for the frame 

 to sit on. 



The heating material comes next. This is generally pre- 

 pared from fresh horse manure mixed with about one-half 

 its bulk of leaves or coarse litter. This mixture is piled square 

 and flat and let stand for a few days until it begins to heat, 

 it is then mixed thoroughly and piled again, taking care that 

 the material which was outside first will be on the inside the 

 second time it is piled. In a few days the pile will be heating 

 evenly and it is then ready to put into the pit, where it must 

 be evenly spread and well packed. The depth of the manure 

 depends on the time of the year and the length of time you 

 require heat. If you start your beds in February, two feet 

 of manure will be necessary ; but, if started in March, one foot 

 is plenty. 



As soon as the manure is in the pit, five or six inches of 

 fine compost loam are put on top of the manure, the sashes 

 are put on and the bed is allowed to warm. 



