134 Gardening Under Glass 



Secure fresh horse manure. It may be saved 

 from day . to day, but is better if a sufficient 

 quantity may be had at one time. Either the 

 straight manure, or manure with short wet straw 

 in it, may be used. Save it in a pile, turning and 

 wetting occasionaUy until enough has accumu- 

 lated to make a bed. Stack in a compact heap, 

 under cover if possible. Water until moist if 

 it is dry. Tramp down. 



In about three days, heating will begin, as in- 

 dicated by "steam" beginning to rise from the 

 pile. Then restack, putting the outside inside, 

 and wetting down again if at all dry. It is most 

 important to keep the fermenting vianure everily 

 7noist, without being wet. After the second turn- 

 ing, leave until the pile again steams and then 

 restack once more. At this time add about one 

 fifth, in bulk, of garden or pasture loam to the 

 manure. After the third or fourth turning, when 

 the heap is evenly heated through, is moist and 

 springy, and not disagreeable in odor, it is ready 

 for the bed. The temperature, as indicated by a 

 thermometer, should be between 100 and 125 de- 

 grees. 



The bed is made about ten inches deep. It is 

 held in place by a 10-inch board on edge, when 

 made under the bench. The first five inches 

 may be of fresh hot manure covered with five 



