FOECIXG-PIT. 27 | 



method, when the bed has stood three days, the sashes and 

 sliders should be removed, the soil raked even and fine, and 

 as much more added as may be necessary, which will depend 

 on the crop to be grown, directions for which are given 

 under each separate head. 



It is very important to have good manure, and to have 

 it well worked over before using, to insure success in mak- 

 ing a hot-bed. Manure as it comes from the stables is 

 generally too coarse, and makes too rank a heat. It should 

 be thrown in a heap, and when heated, which may be 

 known by the vapor arising from it, the whole must be 

 turned and forked over, and this sometimes repeated four 

 or five different times, but usually three good workings 

 will temper it, the last being given three or four days be- 

 fore it is to be used. The manure that is shipped from 

 New York City, by boat and railroad, is generally in 

 good condition for making a hot-bed. 



The soil should be light, free, and moderately rich, 

 though I have found that which has long been used, to 

 have a tendency to cause the young plants to damp off, 

 and I would recommend using one half well-rotted sods 

 and one half old soil, thoroughly mixed. 



Select a sheltered, warm position for a hot-bed, and one 

 that may be permanent, as the same pits or trenches last 

 from year to year, the earth and manure being removed to 

 a heap, and the frames, if movable, snugly stored away to 

 do duty again the following and many successive years. 



FORCING-PIT. 



This is an arrangement similar to the stationary hot- 

 bed frame, and can be used for forwarding rhubarb, cauli- 

 flower, cabbage, etc., without resorting to the use of hot 

 manure, and sometimes a frame is used, the same as a 

 movable hot-bed frame, but built one plank higher back 



