ON COMMON DUNG BEDS, 39 



The whole of the bed should not be covered 

 with earth until the end of March ; more par- 

 ticularly the front of it, for a breadth of at 

 least three or four inches. After that time, 

 however, the whole may be moulded, as the 

 heat of the sun will have sufficient power to 

 dry up the evaporation therefrom, so as to pre- 

 vent its becoming injurious. 



The covering at night is the next point to be 

 dealt with. As soon as the heat of the bed de- 

 clines to about 65°, and when all danger of over- 

 heating is passed, use a single mat, and then a 

 little hay, spreading it on the glass about one 

 inch thick ; and commencing about the 20th 

 November. This covering should be thickened 

 as the cold increases ; and when the weather is 

 very severe, double mats should be used. 



When the season turns, the days lengthen ; 

 and as the sun's heat, during the day, aids in 

 warming the bed within the frame, discontinue 

 the covering by degrees down to a single mat, as 

 at the commencement. Air must be given, 



