TO MAKE A HOT-BED 21 



obliquely into the centre of the bed, and is to be used 

 as a sort of rough thermometer. Each day the stick 

 should be withdrawn, and the heat of its lower end ' 

 tested with the hand. As soon as it can be comfortably 

 held the frame is ready for use. If seeds, cuttings, or 

 plants are to be inserted in the hot-bed itself, three 

 inches of light good soil should be spread over the 

 surface of the manure. A hot-bed of this description, 

 made about the middle of March, will retain its heat 

 until midsummer. Hot-beds made in January or Feb- 

 ruary will require to have their own heat supplemented 

 by that afforded by linings, consisting of hot fermenting 

 manure which has been placed in a heap at once, and 

 then arranged in a layer eighteen inches thick around 

 the bed to its full height. In very cold weather this 

 lining will require to be changed about every two or 

 three weeks. 



