HOT-BEDS. 
113 
in autumn, or a heap of dung may be deposited on tbe 
ground intend ed for the beds before the frost sets in, and 
good earth may be obtained from the pits without any diffi- 
culty. 
The frames should be made of good sound planks ; the 
back plank may be two feet wide, and the end ones may be 
so sloped as to make a fifteen-inch plank do for the front. 
A frame calculated for four sashes, of three feet in width by 
six in length, as above described, should be nearly thirteen 
feet long, and about six broad at the top. 
The frame being set over the pit, and properly fastened, 
the fresh dung should be spread regularly in the pit to the 
depth of twenty to twenty-four inches ; if the dung be in a 
good heating condition, cover it six or eight inches deep 
with mould, then lay on the sashes, and protect the beds 
from the inclemency of the weather. In two or three days 
the rank steam will pass off ; it will then be necessary to stir 
the mould before the seed be sown, to prevent the growth 
of young weeds that may be germinating ; then sow the 
seed either in shallow drills or broad-cast, as equally as pos- 
sible, reserving a small quantity of the warm mould to be 
sown lightly over the seed. The beds should afterward 
be attended to, as directed for Broccoli and Cauliflower. 
This description of a hot-bed is intended expressly for the 
raising of Spring Cabbage, Lettuce, Tomatoes, and such 
other plants as may be required for early planting. Beds 
made earlier in the season, or for forcing, will require a 
greater quantity of manure [*Sce Calendar for January, 
February, and March.] 
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