162 



HOT-BED. 



peded by too tnucli water. Recent stable dung generally 

 requires to lie a month in ridges or beds, and be turned 

 over in that time thrice, before it is fit for cucumber beds 

 of the common construction. But for linings, or for frames 

 with moveable bottoms, three weeks, a fortnight, or less, 

 will suffice ; or no time at all need be given, but the dung 

 formed at once into linings. Tan and leaves, in general, 

 require a month ; but much depends on the state of the 

 weather, and the season of the year. Fermentation is 

 always most rapid in summer ; and if the materials are 

 spread abroad during frost, it is totally impeded. 



The formation of the dung-beds is effected by first mark- 

 ing out the dimensions of the plan, v/hich should be six 

 inches wider on all sides than that of the frame to be placed 

 over it ; and then, by successive layers of dung, laid on by 

 a fork, raising it to the desired height, pressing it gently 

 and equally throughout. In general, such beds are formed 

 on a level surface ; but Knight's mode is, to form a surface 

 of earth as a basis, which shall incline to the horizon, to 

 the extent of fifteen degrees : on this he forms the dung-bed 

 to the same inclination ; and, finally, the frame, when 

 placed on such a bed, if, as is usual, it be deepest behind, 

 w^ill present its glass at an angle of tvv^enty degrees, instead 

 of six or eight ; which is, undoubtedly, of great advantage in 

 the winter season. This seems a very desirable improve- 

 ment, where light is an object, which it must be in a high 

 degree in the case of the culture of cucumbers and melons, 

 as well as in forcing fiowers. 



" Ashes are often mixed with the dung of hot-beds, and 

 are supposed to promote the steadiness and duration of their 

 heat, and at first to revive it if somewhat decayed. Tan 

 and leaves have been used for the same purpose ; and it is 

 generally found, that about one third of tan and two thirds 

 of dung will form a more durable and less violent hept 

 than a bed wholly of dung. The heat of dung-beds is re- 

 vived by linings or collateral and surrounding w^alls or 

 banks of fresh dung, the old dung of the bed being previ- 

 ously cut down close to the frame. These linings, as before 

 observed, require less preparation than the dung for the 

 beds. The dung-bed, being formed, and having stood two 

 or three days with the frame and lights placed over it to 

 protect it from rain, is next to be covered with earth of 

 quality, and in quantity, according to the purpose to which 

 it is to be applied. In severe weather, the sides of the 



