334 THE FORCING GARDEN. > [JAN. 



should be well fermented, in the manner as hinted 

 at above. When it is fit, let the bed be built to the 

 height of four feet at back, and three in front, and 

 twelve or fifteen inches larger than the frame all 

 round ; carefully beating and treading it, as above 

 directed. Finish with some of the smallest of the 

 dung, and lay the surface smooth. Then cover the 

 whole with rolls or squares of turf, cut so as again 

 to join exactly ; which lay green-side down, and 

 beat them well with the back of the spade, that the 

 whole may be close and compact, in order as much 

 as possible to exclude steam. 



The frame may now be put on. It should be 

 about two feet deep at back, and a foot in front ; 

 and if a few inches deeper, it will be nothing the 

 worse. It is not very material in what kind of earth 

 the roots be placed, provided it be light and dry. 

 I have often used old bark, reduced to a fine mould, 

 without any mixture of earth, and have sometimes 

 mixed it with fine sandy earth, with little difference 

 in the success ; only I have observed, that when 

 the roots were placed in bark entirely, the buds 

 would come a few days earlier. If old bark can- 

 not be had, any dry, light, and moderately rich 

 mould will answer, in which to bed the roots ; 

 which should be laid on the turf, to the thickness 

 of three or four inches. 



The roots being covered with litter, &c. so as to 

 be easily come at in the case of frost being in the 

 ground, should be carefully lifted, and be trimmed of 

 rotten fibres, haulm, or other rubbish. They should 

 not be under four vears old, nor above eight ; as if 



