FRAMES AND HOTBEDS 107 



the soil, trample in manure and again prepare a 

 seedbed. 



How to Build a Hotbed. Like other things, a 

 hotbed can be built well or just knocked together 

 for the occasion. . I favor the former, but for 

 temporary use you can build a cheap one from 

 boards. Dig a hole about three feet deep, six feet 

 wide and of whatever length you think you can 

 afford sash for. Board up the sides, giving the 

 hotbed a height of six inches above ground in front ' 

 (which, by the way, should be the south side, so 

 as to get the maximum amount of light). The 

 back of the frame should be about six or eight 

 inches higher than the front. Partly fill the hole 

 with fresh horse manure well mixed with some 

 leaves or bedding, and tramp it down well, being 

 sure it is well moistened. Cover with about eight 

 inches of good soil, the top of which should be level 

 with the outside ground. Put the sash in place 

 and wait for the soil to get warm before you sow 

 the seeds. 



But if you think you really want a good hotbed, 

 do not build it of wood, as the wood soon decays. 

 A concrete or brick hotbed will last a lifetime. A 

 very good idea in building one on these lines is to 

 have your back or north wall (which should be 

 about four inches thick) rise about two feet above 

 the level of the frame. Carry the ends down on 

 an angle to meet the front line, and you have a 

 very pretty and practical frame. This high back 

 is a wonderful protection for the frames. 



If you sow cabbage in February, you cannot 



