A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

HOT 306 HOT
' mass, is an efficient precaution, and is are frosty for the admission of air. A
much preferable to a similarly placed complete remedy for all these difficul-
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layer of turf, which interrupts too much ties is afforded by a plan, which suc-
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the full benefit of the heat. A plan re- 1 ceeds on the principle that warm air
commended by Bradley is well worthy' ascends, and simply consists of a pipe
of notice. A woven hurdle somewhat passed through the body of the bed,
larger than the frame being placed and one end communicating with , the
upon the dung, i on this its woodwork exterior air, the other opening into the
can rest, and the earth is laid within frame, at one of the top corners of
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it, ihus the whole can be moved to- which an aperture must be made ; the
gether without disturbance. This would heated air of the frame will constantly
especially he of advantage when bark
issuing from this aperture, and its
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is employed, which requires occasional place supplied by that which rises
stirring to renew its heat in case of! through the pipe. A pipe of lead may
emergency, when time cannot be al- be used, about two or three inches in
lowed for the bed becoming regular in diameter, bent nearly at a right angle,
its heat before the plants are inserted and each limb being three feet long,
Besides these precautions, vacancies one of these to be placed horizontally,
should be left in the mould, and holes as the bed is forming, with its mouth
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bored with a thick pole into the bed,
which must be filled up with hay or
dung when the danger is passed.
For ascertaining the internal temperature
of the bed, the thermometer is
the only certain guide, as it also is for
judging of the temperature of the air
within the frame; the mode of introducing
it into the body of the bed, is to
have the thermometer inclosed in a
extending in the open air, that of the
other opening into the frame ; a cap
should be fitted to the first, and by a
slit on its under side, the quantity of
air admitted can be regulated.
Although stable manure is generally
employed for the constructing of hotbeds,
yet there are several other vegetable
matters that are also in use for
the same purpose. Tanner's bark,
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wooden case of the size and form of an from its long continuance and reguordinary
dibble, which is to be lined larity of heat, is much to be preferred,
with baize and fitted with a cap ofj especially for very tender exotics. In
tliinned iron to exclude the exterior many situations it can be obtained at a
temperature. The end which enters cheaper rate than stable dung ; it should
the earth is shod with perforated cop- be employed when fresh drawn from
per. In conjunction with the ther- the vats, or at most when a fortnight or
mometer, trying sticks may be employ- three weeks old ; it must lay in a heap
ed for occasional observation; these | for six or eight days to allow the escape
are smooth laths of wood, about two 1 of the superfluous moisture : in summer
feet in length, thrust into different parts this is not of such material consequence.
of the bed, which, being drawn out and
grasped quickly, afford a rough estimate
of the heat of the bed.
The small extent of the frame, and
the rapid deterioration of the air within
it by the plants, render its frequent renewal
necessary. To effect this, the
common practice is to raise the glasses
in proportionate heights according to
the state of the air; and to prevent any
injury arising when necessarily admitted
during inclement weather, mats are
as an excess of wet is, at that season,
not so liable to prevent fermentation.
If the ground is dry, a pit three feet
deep may be dug, and is better lined
with slates, boards, or brickwork, but
whatever may be the nature of the soil,
it is best to form this case or bin of a
similar height upon the surface. Without
some support the tan will not form
a solid bed, and if mould becomes
mixed with it, the fermentation is retarded
or entirely prevented. The
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hung over the opening ; but notwith breadth must not be less than five or
standing these precautions, the supply six feet, or of a length shorter than ten
of air can seldom be regular; hence, or twelve, otherwise the heat will not
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and from sudden chills, the plants are be lasting. When the bark is laid, it
often checked, and sometimes essen- must be gently settled with the fork,
tially injured. It may be remarked but never trodden upon ; for if violently
here, that raw foggy days, if anything, I compressed, it loses the power of ferare
more unfavourable than those that I menting ; if the bark is fresh and not