Feb.-] 



THE FORCING GARDEN. 



673 



The merits of this improvement are obvious : the bed of 

 fermenting matter is all of an equal thickness, and conse- 

 quently will be more equally heated ; the mould in which the 

 plants are planted are also of an equal thickness, a matter of 

 much importance to the plants ; the angle of elevation given, 

 the plane upon which the whole is built, is sufficient to present 

 the glass at a proper angle to the horizon, so as to enjoy the 

 greatest portion of the sun's rays at this season, when it is 

 low in the horizon, which is a matter of much importance tojj 

 the welfare of the plants ; this angle may be more or less, 

 according to the season of beginning the forcing. The frames 

 which he purposes for such beds are also like the dung-bed, of 

 the same depth both at back and front. Thus the plants arp" 

 placed at an equal distance from the glass, which is not the 

 case with plants in frames of the usual construction. 



According to the instructions already given for building the 

 seed or nursing-bed, this should also be placed upon a dry, 

 and if possible, a sheltered spot, fully exposed to the morn- 

 ing sun, but sufficiently sheltered from the north, east, and 

 west, and the ground should be rather elevated just the size 

 of the intended bed, to affi^rd greater means of applying linings, 

 as well as to keep their bottoms free from water or damp. On 

 no account should the beds be sunk under the surface at this 

 season. According to the dimensions of the frame or frames, 

 mark out tlie size of the bed, by driving in four stout stakes, 

 one at each corner of the intended bed, and as nearly per- 

 pendicular as possible, which will be a guide in building the 

 bed. In marking out the size of the bed, let it be a foot at 

 least larger on each side than the size of the frame. The 

 whole being marked out, proceed to make the bed, by shaking 

 and mixing the dung or dung and leaves well together, as it 

 is laid on, and beat it well down with the back of the fork 

 as the process goes on ; avoid treading it, as beds too much 

 trodden seldom work so pleasantly, and are more liable to 

 burn than such as are suflered to settle gradually of them- 

 selves. In this manner proceed, until the bed has arrived at 

 nearly the desired height, taking care to buikl the sides and 

 ends as nearly perpendicular as possible. When within six 

 iuches of the desired height, level the whole surface, and 



4.R 



