PROPAGATION BY SINGLE BUDS. 31 



proper shape, and place the frames over them. But the 

 above-named articles are comparatively little used, horse 

 manure being equal, if not superior, to any other material 

 for the purpose, especially when a small quantity of leaves 

 is mixed with it. It is not necessary to describe the 

 mode of preparing hot-beds with other materials, as the 

 process is similar with each. The manure should be taken 

 as fresh from the stable as possible, thrown into heaps to 

 ferment, and worked over several times ; all large, coarse 

 lumps should be broken into pieces, and if it becomes dry, 

 add water to keep it from becoming burnt and musty. 

 This working over is to cause the fermentation to act upon 

 all parts, and to give it an even texture throughout. If 

 leaves can be had, they should be mixed with the manure 

 when it is being worked over. One fourth to one half the 

 quantity may be of leaves. 



If the ground is quite dry upon which the hot-bed is 

 to be made (and such a situation is always preferable to 

 one that is wet), make an excavation one foot deep and 

 one foot larger than your hot-bed frame ; then spread 

 in the manure and leaves in a layer about six inches 

 thick, and beat it down evenly with the fork, then put 

 on another layer and strike it down in the same way, 

 and so on until you have at least two feet in depth ; three 

 feet would be still better. By spreading the manure 

 in layers, and pressing each down separately, a more uni- 

 form degree of texture will be obtained, and consequently 

 a more even temperature will be had throughout the bed. 

 Bank up on the outside even with the top of the frame, 

 w r ith the fermenting manure, so as to assist in keeping out 

 cold air, as well as to prevent the escape of the heat which 

 is generated within. 



Fig. 6 shows a hot-bed of four sashes when completed. 



When all is neatly finished, put on the frames, close the 

 sash, and keep all tight. If it is cold weather, cover the 

 sash at night, and in cloudy weather also, with straw mats 



