TO MAKE A HOT-BED 21 



obliquely into the centre of the bed, and is to be used 

 as a sort of rough thermometer. Each day the stick 

 should be withdrawn, and the heat of its lower end 

 tested with the hand. As soon as it can be comfortably 

 held the frame is ready for use. If seeds, cuttings, or 

 plants are to be inserted in the hot-bed itself, three 

 inches of light good soil should be spread over the 

 surface of the manure. A hot-bed of this description, 

 made about the middle of March, will retain its heat 

 until midsummer. Hot-beds made in January or Feb- 

 ruary will require to have their own heat supplemented 

 by that afforded by linings, consisting of hot fermenting 

 manure which has been placed in a heap at once, and 

 then arranged in a layer eighteen inches thick around 

 the bed to its full height. In very cold weather this 

 lining will require to be changed about every two or 

 three weeks. 



