RENEWING HOTBED HEAT BY LININGS. 277 



fore, when the heat has declined considerably, 

 it should be renewed as speedily as possible, by 

 applying linings of hot dung to the sides, about 

 one foot and a half wide, and three or four inches 

 above the dung of the bed, to allow for settling ; 

 but it is by no means a desirable plan to raise 

 the linings much higher than the dung of the 

 bed, for that is apt to burn the earth within the 

 frame ; the steam also will draw into the frame, 

 and frequently proves injurious, by scalding the 

 leaves, and perhaps kill the plants. This may 

 be prevented, by laying several inches of earth 

 on the top of the linings, which will not only 

 confine the steam, but keep the heat in below. 

 In most cases the back part is lined first, and the 

 front in about a week after, unless the heat of 

 the bed has become very much reduced : in that 

 case, the lining had better be completed at 

 once. 



It will be necessary to examine the linings in 

 their early state, to find whether the heat is too 

 violent, for that may communicate to the bed 

 and earth, and scorch the roots of the plants ; 

 therefore should such by chance take place, 



