42 
HINTS AND HELPS 
back of the frame and draw lines on the two by four inch 
strips. If cut along these lines the strip will slide into 
place and is then nailed. 
When the frame is completed, dig out the soil (inside) 
to a depth of ten to twelve inches, then fill in with fresh, 
decomposing, well-mixed horse manure to a depth of one 
Preparing the Hot-bed. 
foot after it is trodden down. When evenly and well 
trodden, wet it down and put on about four inches of good 
soil. Have the manure and soil deeper on the back of the 
bed so it will slant nearly as much as the glass. Put on 
the glass. Allow it to remain until the manure heats and 
the temperature of the manure falls to go 0 F. This is ob¬ 
tained by placing a thermometer about two inches into 
the soil. It will take five to fifteen days. Water thor¬ 
oughly if dry. When the temperature of the manure and 
