HOT-BEDS, COLD-FRAMES, AND PITS. CO 



wider than the frame each way. Throw out the earth 

 about ten or twelve inches deep. Then begin to form the 

 bed by spreading a thin layer of the prepared manure 

 upon the ground, mixing the long and short well together. 

 Upon this spread other layers mixed in the same manner, 

 beating each layer with the back of the fork, but not too 

 heavily, to keep it level, and equally firm throughout. 

 Stakes should be placed at the corners to work to. The 

 edges should be kept true and the corners firm, to do 

 which the outside of each layer must be first laid down, 

 and to make the manure keep in place a proper admixture 

 of long litter is required. Continue until the bed is three 

 feet above the surface, then spread the fine manure that is 

 left, evenly over the top, and water freely. As soon as fin- 

 ished let the frame and glass be put on with care, and keep 

 them close until the heat rises and a steam appears upon 

 the glass. As soon as the heat rises, give air at noon each 

 day, but keep closed in the evening and at night, unless 

 the heat is very violent, when a little air should be given. 

 In three days, if the manure was sufficiently moist, the 

 bed will be ready for use. If it has settled unequally, 

 raise the frame and level the surface. Place in the frame 

 six inches of fine, dark-colored, sandy garden-soil, spread 

 it evenly, and put on the sash. When warmed through, 

 sow in pots plunged in the mould, or in small drills from 

 one-eighth of an inch to an inch deep, varying in depth 

 with the size of the seeds, and cover by sifting fine earth 

 on the surface. Water gently by sprinkling with tepid 

 water through the fine rose of a watering pot. When the 

 plants appear, they should have air every day freely (un- 

 less absolutely freezing) which will bring them up strong, 

 and prevent their dropping off by excess of confined 

 moisture. There are very few days which will not permit 

 opening the bed, not by sliding down the sashes, but by 

 raising them at the back, holding them open by a trian- 

 gular block to slip in so that they can be opened from two 



