THE PRODUCTION OF PLANTS 



39 



in making a hotbed should contain sufficient litter^ 

 preferably leaves or straw, to cause it to spring 

 slightly under the feet when being compacted. 



After the manure has been properly tramped 

 and leveled, the frames to support the sash are 

 placed in position facing toward the south. These 

 frames are generally made to carry four standard 

 hotbed sash, and the front board should be 4 to 6 



FIG. II CROSS-SECTION OF TEMPORARY HOTBED 



inches lower than the back, in order that water will 

 drain from the glass. When the frame is in posi- 

 tion the manure is banked up around the outside, 

 and about 4 inches of good garden loam is spread 

 evenly over the enclosed space. Sifted soil as 

 indicated for use in window tray is then spread 

 to a depth of 2 inches on top of the garden loam, 

 the sash placed in position and the bed allowed 

 to become warm. When completed the temporary 

 hotbed will appear as shown in Fig. n. 



Permanent Hotbeds. Hotbeds having more or 

 less permanence may be so constructed as to be 

 heated with fermenting manure, a stove, a brick 



