4 Colorado Experiment Station 
venient for general use. As manure is far the most common heating 
element for hotbeds, only this kind is described. 
Hotbeds are of two general types—pit beds and surface beds. 
Pit Beds 
\ 
This type of hotbed is so called because the fermenting matter 
which supplies the heat is put in a pit in the ground. It retains its 
heating power longest and is most desirable for that reason. It is ad¬ 
visable to get the pit ready when the ground Is easily dug and ; not ,wait 
untill it is actually needed. These beds may be further classified as 
temporary pits and permanent pits. 
Temporary Pits. —A temporary pit is one which is desired for use 
only one or two seasons, and is consequently unlined. To make: a bed 
of this kind, build a substan¬ 
tial frame 6 ft. wide and 12 ft. 
long of 2-inch planks, 14 
inches high at the back side 
and 10 inches high in front, 
with the ends conforming to 
the slope. A 2x4 inch cross¬ 
piece should be let into the 
frame flush with the top 
every 3 feet so that it acts as 
a brace and helps support the 
sashes. (See illustration.) 
Dig a pit 2 feet deep, about 8 feet wide and 14 feet long with the 
long way running east and west. Fill the pit as described later. When 
the pit has been filled, set the frame on the manure, bank up around 
the sides and ends and put on the sashes. 
This is a cheap, yet very satisfactory form of hotbed. Since the 
frame rides on the manure, the whole bed, frame and all, sink together 
as the manure settles. It is desirable for this to occur .rather than for 
the bed alone to sink, and the frame to remain in place. In this parti¬ 
cular the temporary pit is superior to the permanent pits. 
!0 J». < • • '< O. ' . 
Permanent pits are intended for use for several] years. They are 
generally lined with walls of concrete, brick or wood, concrete being 
the most satisfactory. 
To make a 6x12 ft. permanent pit,, dig a pit 2 ft. deep and 6 ft. 
6 in. wide by 12 ft. 6 in. long, making the bottom level. Put in a 4 in. 
concrete wall 5 ft. 9 in. by 11 ft. 9 in., inside dimensions, extending to 
the surface of the ground. On this wall a frame made as described 
Method of letting - cross braces into 
sides of frame, thus avoiding the use of 
nails and making the removal of the cross 
braces easy. 
