no 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
part of litter give satisfactory results. If too rich, forest 
leaves may be added. Manure with shavings as the litter 
is never satisfactory. The manure from horses well fed 
on grain is the best for hotbed use. 
Preparation of the manure should begin io or 12 days 
before the time when the beds will be wanted for seed 
sowing or transplanting. A stable or a protected shed is 
necessary in preparing the manure for the best results 
in cold weather, because hard rains and severe weather 
may hinder or prevent fermentation. 
Fresh manure from city livery stables, shipped on cars 
or barges, is often in proper condition for the pit when 
received, although piling and turning are usually neces- 
sary. The piles should be 4 or 5 feet wide, about 4 feet 
high and of any convenient length. When the manure 
is thrown from the wagon it should be tramped, but not 
too compactly. If the manure is rather dry, the addition 
of hot water will help to start fermentation. Ordinarily, 
the pile will begin to steam in a day or two. When 
fermentation is well under way, restack, placing the ex- 
terior of the pile on the interior of the new pile. After 
the manure is allowed to remain in this condition two or 
three days, or until the entire mass is hot, the pit should 
then be filled. 
159. Filling the pit. — The manure should be thrown 
into the pit in successive layers of 5 or 6 inches and 
tramped firmly, especially along the sides and in the 
corners of the frames. The manure will settle several 
inches, and allowance should be made for this when 
filling. After the manure is in, from 4 to 6 inches of good 
soil is placed on the manure. Two inches of soil is suffi- 
cient covering to absorb steam and to keep the air pure 
if flats are used instead of sowing or planting directly in 
the soil. The frame is also banked with manure. 
160. Other types of manure hotbeds. — The pit is some- 
times dug a foot wider than the frame is to be and not 
