216 GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT. 



once or twice, and then as it receives its next working it 

 can be thoroughly mixed with it. By incorporating it 

 with the manure at this time, it will serve to lessen the 

 danger of burning, and the pile need not be turned as 

 frequently. Ordinary field loam will answer, but Mr. 

 Falconer recommends the use of sod loam, if the mate- 

 rial in the spent bed is to be used for potting plants, 

 which would, certainly make it more valuable for that 

 purpose. 



MAKING THE BED. 



The depth of the bed should depend upon the fresh- 

 ness of the material and the location of the bed, so far 

 as the temperature of the surrounding air is concerned. 

 With fresh manure alone, in a warm place, nine inches 

 will answer, but if loam has been added it should be 

 from ten to twelve inches deep. Decomposed manure 

 would need to be made about three inches deeper than 

 that in a fresh state, but should not be used in a cool 

 place, without the addition of fresh droppings. In 

 making the beds in a greenhouse, the top should be 

 level, or with a slight slope toward the walk. Perhaps 

 the best plan is to have the bed at the front about nine 

 inches deep, and at the rear twelve inches. 



Whether made under the benches or upon them, it 

 is well to have a board of the proper width along the 

 front. If the space allows, it is an excellent plan to 

 place a hotbed frame under or upon the bed, or at least 

 to place boards about six feet apart, to form the edges 

 of the mushroom bed, which should then be covered 

 with hotbed sash or shutters. The manure should be 

 shaken evenly over the bed, packing it down with a fork, 

 thus filling it up in thin, even layers spread over the 

 surface. When a bed is filled, a gentle treading will 

 benefit it, and when under the greenhouse benches, the 

 desired result can be secured by beating it down with a 

 brick, or wooden pounder. Unless thorough ventilation 



