83 THE GARDENEH^ [jAN. 



the fiery heat must be got rid of before the hotbed is 

 formed. Tan and leaves are often mixed with dung, 

 in order to afford a more durable and milder heat, but 

 not usually for cucumbers or melons.* If made in the 

 winter or early spring, the height of the hotbed should 

 be from five to six feet, at first, and the width about a 

 foot more on all sides than the frame intended to be 

 placed upon it. The frames and glasses are to be put 

 on immediately after the bed is completed, and when 

 the heat begins to rise admit some air ; in about three 

 days the heat ought to be full ; this you will ascertain 

 according to Mr. Cobbett's simple plan, ''by poking 

 your fore-finger into the centre of the top of it," as a 

 thermometer, which you should apply morning and 

 evening from the first day. You will find the heat in- 

 crease until you cannot endure it for a moment; when 

 it moderates so that your finger can easily bear it, lay 

 on finely- sifted earth to the depth of six inches. 

 If you apply the earth during the great fermentation, 

 it will be so dried up as to be unfit for the reception of 

 seed. I have put moss and peat earth over the dung 

 to absorb the acid vapours that otherwise would in- 

 jure the plants, and in such case given a thinner co- 

 vering of the sifted mould. 



The contrivance of Mr. M'Phail, for rendering the 

 fermenting dung available to the heating of earth in- 

 closed in a hotbed or pit, so that the seeds may be 

 sown at once, is very ingenious ; because it may be 

 made the means of imparting warmth at the same time 

 to vines on a trellis, as well as to melons, &c. at a few 

 inches from the glass : his method is to admit the heat 



* The hotbed suited to melons would be much too warm for 

 radishes and such half-hardy vegetables ; a much shallower bed as 

 well as cooler is required for them ; and they will do very well 

 without a glass frame — oiled calico or paper will prove a suffi- 

 cient shelter for that. Even a covering of mats at mgnt 

 will answer the purpose. 



