124 



Nature-Study Agriculture 



tions. A hotbed makes it possible to begin raising cab- 

 bage and tomato plants in March. The plants will 



Making a 

 hotbed 



mm 



FIG. 102. How a hotbed is constructed. 



be well grown by the time it becomes safe to set them in 

 the open ground. 



The process of making a hotbed is very simple (Fig. 102 

 and Exp. 2). Fresh horse manure is piled on the ground 

 to a depth of about two feet, leveled off, and covered 

 with six inches of garden soil. The heat generated by 

 the manure is sufficient to keep the soil warm for five 

 or six weeks. Fresh cow manure may be used if mixed 

 with plenty of straw, as it usually is in the stall. A 

 wooden frame is built around the plot and a glass cover 

 is placed on the frame. Regular hotbed sash with small 

 panes can be purchased to make this glass cover. ,The 

 frame should be a few inches higher on the north side, 



