A FOUR-FRAME HOTBED 



57 



If any drying out of the compost has occurred by this 

 time, the addition of a Httle water will improve the compost. 

 Two or three such handlings of the compost are - necessary 

 to give it a uniform and an even fermentation. When the 

 fermentation is complete and uniform the compost is placed 

 in the pit. 



Fig. 15. — Students filling a concrete hotbed. 



In filling the pit, the manure should be distributed in 

 successive layers of 6 or 7 inches. Each layer must be firmly 

 packed down, particularly along the sides and in the corners. 

 Where the firming along the sides is neglected, there is 

 more settling of the compost along the sides than in the 

 center of the pit, which makes the surface uneven and causes 

 great damage to the young seedlings. The compost will 

 settle several inches and when filling the pit due allow- 

 ance should be made for this settling. After the compost is 

 placed in the pit from 2 to 6 inches of soil should be spread 

 over the manure. If the plants are to be grown in flats 2 

 inches of soil will be sufficient, but if the seed is to be sown 



