March'] 



OF FKAMING. 



25 



OF FRAMING. 



Where it is desired to have the more showy annuals early 

 in bloom, it is necessary to prepare a hot-bed frame, for the 

 purpose of bringing them forward. It is time, about the 

 first of the month, to collect and prepare manure for the de- 

 sired hot-bed ; and, as that operation, in many instances, is 

 very imperfectly performed, a few observations on the sub- 

 ject may be useful. 



Take three parts of fresh, hot stable manure, with one 

 part of fresh oak leaves. Have a sufficient quantity to make 

 the intended bed, or beds, from three to four feet high. 

 Shake and mix up both together in a compact, conical heap, 

 in order to encourage fermentation. If the weather is cold 

 and windy, cover it with straw or leaves and boards, which 

 is necessary to produce the desired effect. If fermentation 

 soon takes place, it will need to be thoroughly turned over 

 in eight or ten days. If any of it has become dry and musty 

 from excessive heat, as you proceed, water the affected parts, 

 pile all up neatly, and leave it protected in part as before. 

 In five or six days more, it will have to be turned again, re- 

 peating it until the first extreme heat has been over. In 

 neglect of this, the heat, after making up the bed, will be 

 vehement for a week or two, frequently destroying the vege- 

 tative purity of the soil, and proving destructive to the seeds. 



Allowing the manure to come to a lively heat, having no 

 unpleasant, rancid smell, proceed to mark off your intended 

 bed, running it east and west, as nearly as possible, measure 

 your frame, and allow the site of the bed eight inches, each 

 way, larger than the frame : at the corners, place a stick or 

 rod perpendicularly. The ground ought to be higher than 

 that around it, to prevent water from getting into the bed, 

 which, if low, must be filled up; or, if supposed that water 

 may lodge there, a little brushwood might be put under the 

 manure, which would keep it from being inundated. The 

 manure must be built up square and level, shaking, mixing 

 and beating it regularly with the back of the fork. When 

 you have it to the desired height (from two to three feet 

 will be sufficient for annuals), leave the centre of the bed a 

 little higher than the sides, thus allowing it more to subside. 

 When finished, put on the frame and sash, or sashes, keep 

 3 



