HOT-BEDS. 23 



only six, there will be a margin of twelve to sixteen 

 inches outside, whicli should be banked up with ma- 

 nure as high as the top of the frame. 



Frames may be made of common boards nailed 

 together, with a post in each corner for a support. 

 They should be five feet ten inches wide from front 

 to rear, and as Icng as desired — ^the front board 

 twelve inches high, and the rear eighteen to twenty- 

 four. The frames, when made, should stand level 

 on the bottom, forming an inclined plane on top ; so 

 that, when the sashes are on, there will be enough 

 fall from rear to front to cast tlie water readily. 



Cross-ties six feet long, made of narrow strips of 

 boards, one by three inches, should be mortised into 

 the front and rear boards of the frames every three 

 feet. These will support the sashes and strengthen 

 the frames. 



Sashes can be bought from any sash manufac- 

 turer. They should be well constructed of seasoned 

 wood ; if not, the heat of the beds will warp the 

 wood, displace and break the glass. The narrow 

 lights of glass, 4x6, are preferable. These should 

 be cut curved on the lower edge, so that the water 

 will run off in the middle of the light in single drops, 

 and not form lenses, which would likely scorch the 

 plants. 



Putting on Earth and Sowing Seed. — Wlien the 

 beds are finished, as stated before, the sashes are put 

 on at once and covered with straw mats. In case 

 the weather is pleasant, the mats may be taken off 

 for three or four hours the next day. Two days 

 from the time of making, under ordinary circum- 



