THE HANDLING OF THE PLANTS 171 
It is advisable to place the manure in the pit in layers, each 
stratum to be thoroughly trodden down before another one is 
putin. These layers should be four to eight inches in thickness. 
By this means the mass is easily made uniform in consistency. 
Manure that has too much straw for the best results, and which 
will therefore soon part with its heat, will spring up quickly 
when the pressure of the feet is removed. Manure that has 
ER: : é 
205. Section of a hotbed bailt with a pit. 
too little straw, and which therefore will not heat well or will 
spend its heat quickly, will pack down into a soggy mass under- 
neath the feet. When the manure has sufficient litter, it will 
give a springy feeling to the feet as a person walks over it, but 
will not fluff up when the pressure is removed. The quantity 
of manure to be used will depend on its quality, and also on the 
season in which the hotbed is made. The earlier the bed is 
made, the larger should be the quantity of manure. Hotbeds 
that are intended to hold for two months should have about two 
feet of manure, as a rule. 
The manure will ordinarily heat very vigorously for a few. 
days after it is placed in the bed. A soil thermometer should be 
