How to Grow Plants from Seeds 183 
i 
Fic. 107. Adding the soil and raking it smooth. 
the frame rises 8 inches and the back 14 inches. Earth 
or manure should be banked about the frame to its upper 
edge. 
The pit is finally well sprinkled with water and the 
sash put in place. The decay of the manure gives rather 
violent heating within a few days, but after about 10 
days the temperature lowers; the frame may then be 
ventilated and flats containing seeds placed within. 
Under no circumstances should seeds be planted or flats 
with seeds be placed within the hotbed during the period 
of violent heating. The temperature may be determined 
by the use of a hotbed or a dairy thermometer. Thrust 
the bulb end into the manure. The temperature will 
often rise to 110° F. or higher; when it drops to 80° or 
85°, and not before, it is safe to place seeds in flats 
within the frame. 
Surface hotbeds are made by placing the frame on 
a bed of manure which is placed upon the surface of the 
ground. Nopitisdug. The frame is constructed as for 
