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OAIMIKMXG FOK THE SOl'TH. 



dimensions of the bed, making it fully a foot longer and 

 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 

 finished 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 (unless 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 



