262 PREPARING DUNG, &C. 



such quantity as may be required into a shed 

 under cover for two or three weeks, that it may 

 dry to a proper moisture for the hotbed. 



PREPARING DUNG, &C. FOR THE HOTBEDS FOR 

 RAISING MELONS. 



Par. 48. Hotbeds for growing melons are 

 generally made of stable dung, being the most 

 easily obtained ; of which prepare a sufficient 

 quantity in proper time to have it in good order 

 by the time the beds are required to be made, 

 choosing that which is fresh and in a lively, 

 steaming state, the long and short mixed up 

 together in a heap, letting it lay for a week ; 

 then turn it over, and well mix it, and in about 

 another week turn it over again. By this process 

 it will properly ferment, discharge the rank 

 steam, and become of a proper temperature to 

 be made into a bed ; and when the heat of the 

 bed declines, and linings are required, prepare a 

 sufficient quantity from time to time for that 

 purpose also. Melons are likewise grown very 

 successfully in bark hotbeds. These beds retain a 



