1 82 Gardening 



FIG. 106. The first step in preparing the hotbed. Throwing in and trampling 

 down the manure. 



The frame is then placed in the pit, with the corners 

 resting on these posts, and a nail driven through the 

 frame into the post at each corner. This arrangement 

 holds the frame firmly in place and keeps it from settling. 



Next, pack fresh horse manure firmly into the pit to 

 a depth of about 16 inches. The manure should be 

 about two-thirds straw and should not have been exposed 

 to the weather. It is best for use when about 10 days old 

 and after it has been kept in a pile and forked over two 

 or three times. None but horse or mule manure is 

 satisfactory. Place the manure in the pit in thin layers, 

 trample each layer until it is compact, and be sure that 

 the corners are well filled and that the surface is level. 



If seedlings are to be grown in flats, from 4 to 6 inches 

 of sand is then placed on the manure. If seeds are to 

 be sown directly in the bed itself (this is not recom- 

 mended) , good garden soil is used instead of sand. This 

 brings the level of the material within the frame up to 

 the level of the ground outside. Above this the front of 



