118 



GAKDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



the rank steam has escaped the bed may be built. The 

 site should be dry. Dig out the earth six inches deep, 

 the size of the bed, and if good lay it aside for use. Fill 

 this trench with good fresh dung for the bottom, and lay 

 on this the prepared dung, until the Avhole is six inches 

 thick above the surface; beat it down firmly with the back 

 of the fork, and build up the sides with a slight but regu- 

 lar slope. Let the bed slope downwards towards the walk, 

 lay over it three inches of good clayey loam ; place another 

 layer ten or twelve inches thick of prepared dung, and in 

 the same manner continue until the bed is two and a half 

 or three feet thick. Cover the bed with clean litter to 

 prevent drying and the escape of the gases, and let it 

 remain ten days, or until the temperature becomes mild 

 and regular; about 60°, and certainly not less than 50^, is 

 the proper degree of warmth. Here skill and practice are 

 most required, for on the treatment at this precise point, 

 the success of the bed depends. If the manure has a 

 brown color, and is so loose and mellow that when pressed 

 it will yield no water, but has a fat unctious feel Avithout 

 any smell of fresh dung, the bed is in a right state. If it 

 is dry, and hard, or sloppy and liquid, it is not in the 

 proper condition. In the first case moderate watering may 

 restore it, but in the latter the superabundance of water 

 will probably spoil it, and it is better to commence anew. 

 When the bed is ready, break the bricks of spawn into 

 lumps the size of a walnut, which plant regularly six 

 inches apart over the surface of the bed, including its sides 

 and ends, just beneath the surface of the manure. Level 

 the surface by gently sm.oothing with the back of the 

 spade. Fine rich loam, rather light than otherwise, is then 

 put on two inches thick. Lastly, a covering of straw from 

 six to twelve inches, according to the temperature. If the 

 bed gets too hot, take off most of the covering. When 



