S64< THii FORCING GARDEN. ^MAU. 



preparation of dung for these beds the hitter end of 

 February. If it be ready, let them now be built, of 

 dimensions answerable to the size of two or more 

 frames, of two or of three Hghts each, according to 

 the quantity of fruit required ; keeping the cucum- 

 bers and melons in distinct frames, however, as they 

 require a dirierent mode of treatment, in many par- 

 ticulars. 



The bed for cucumbers mav be built to the heio'h.t 

 of about four and a half feet at back, and three 

 and a half in front; and that for melons half a 

 foot or nirie inches higher ; keeping both fully a foot 

 larger than the frame all round ; shaking out, beat- 

 ing, or treading tlic dung well, liiat tlieymay settle 

 equally in all parts in heating. This is a matter of 

 particular importance in tl^ic building of iidging- 

 bedSy for which the dung should also have been care- 

 fully fermented ; for, if they settle unequally, or 

 fail into holes, the roots of the plants, after they have 

 begun to run, perliaps, will ex'idcnily be injured, 

 and may be broken in twain by the rendnig of the 

 bed. I liave noticed this before, and mention it 

 again, in order the better to caution the imwary. 



l^ the dung have not been well fermented, and 

 if there be reason to dread its heating violently, it 

 will be proper to turf the bed all over, in the same 

 manner as directed for the asparagus bed in Ja- 

 nuary ; previously laying on two or three inches of 

 the smallest and best reduced part of the dung, 

 (which for that purpose should be laid aside as it 

 falls out in the operation of building), over which 

 la) as much old bark, or dry sand. But otherwise. 



