68 THE FORCING GARDEN. 



I prefer seed to plants from cuttings for this winter 

 work, because seedlings are rather more free of growth 

 than cuttings. At intervals of three feet all along 

 the middle of the bed place a hillock containing 

 about half a bushel of fine maiden loam and decayed 

 stable dung of about equal parts, and make each of 

 them a little fiat on the top similar to the bottom of a 

 basin inverted. The next morning draw a circle with 

 the finger on this flat about an inch deep, and place 

 three seeds in each, and cover them up an inch or so. 

 In the course of two days and two nights the seedlings 

 should appear, and will do so if the bottom heat is 

 good and brisk (which it should 'be at this time), and if 

 the house is kept closed. 



There will "be no danger of scalding if half of the 

 bed is of leaves raked up last autumn, and kept open 

 so as not to decay too much. These old leaves are 

 fine moderators of the strong fermenting properties of 

 fresh stable dung. As soon as the plants are up, shade 

 them during a hot sun from its full influence for a 

 week or two till the plants get strong, which shading 

 must then be discontinued except on some very bright 

 days. 



As soon as the roots of the plants begin to run out 

 add more soil to each hillock, and finally fill up, making 

 eight or nine inches in the depth of the soil over the 

 whole 'bed. The compost as a rule should not be sifted, 

 but merely chopped with the spade, mixing all the 

 lumps and fine together. If more than two plants 

 come up in each hillock, the third may be removed, but 

 even one is enough for fruiting. As, however, some 

 casualty may happen from various causes, it is best not 



