54 



llli: i^'WAI) I AN 1I(|R IK Ll.l IklM. 



The ]\ilrl;>ei) (iardei). ^ 



MANURE HOT i;i;i)S. 



ttfippj^^ HI", cunstrucliun and manageniciil ol hot-l)eds is an exceedingly simple 



matter, and yet it re(|uires careful attention to keep plants growing 



in a healthy condition. Manure beds are most commonly used, horse 



manure being preferable to any other ready available substance. 



Fresh manure recently rt moved from the stable is the best, but if 



"^^^^ i-ollected in too small cjuantities, it should be frequently spread 



through the winter in order to keep ir from heating and spoiling before spring. 



If a good proportion of fine straw or forest leaves are used in the bedding it 



improves the manure greatly for hot-bed purposes. 



When ready to begin oijerations the manure should be kjrkcd over, shaken 

 out finelv and thrown info a high conical heap to heat . if anywa\s dry it should 

 be watered until well dampened throughout the hea)). I eave it standing in this 

 heap about a week and it will surely heat and begin smoking like a small 

 volcano. 



There are two methods of forming the l)ed, some digging a pit and 

 sinking the manure in it, and others simply building the manure up into a square 

 bed and setting the frame on it : the first 

 named method requires the most labor, 

 the second the most manure, so we will 

 let labor vs. manure decide which you 

 shall adopt. 



Fk;. 1 I, shows a perspe(-tive view of a 

 bed constructed on the manure without a 

 j)it. If the manuie is fine, and contains 

 little or no long straw, it will be found 

 necessary to put a plank frame around it 

 to keep it in position, .\ftcr levelling the 

 manure there should be three or four 

 narrow boards laid across it on which to 



rest the hot-bed . frame, so .iliat after the manure heats all will settle together, 

 otherwise the weight of the frame antl sash will force it down uito the manure, 

 and the centre of the bed will api)ear to raise and perhaps displace the plants. 



Of course you should select a spot for the bed which is sheltered as much as 

 possible on the north and west by some building or high board fence. I'he sash 

 should slope gently towards the south or east, both in order to carrv off the rain 

 water readily and Kj catch the sun's rays and gain light and warmth. 



The most common sashes are ;,\^i feet. The frame should ihcrefore Ik 



