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FEBRUARY.] FLOWER GARDEN FRAMING, &c. , ,53 



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must be filled up ; or, if supposed that water may lodge 

 there, a little brushwood might be put under the 

 manure, which would keep it from being inundated. 

 The manure must be built up square and level, shak- 

 ing, mixing, and beating it regularly with the back of 

 the fork. When you have it to the desired height, 

 (three feet will be sufficient for annuals,) leave the 

 centre of the bed a little higher than the sides, thus 

 allowing it more to subside. When finished, put on 

 the frame and sash or sashes, keep them close until 

 the heat arises, covering them at night with mats and 

 shutters. As soon as you feel the heat increased, give 

 air by tilting the sashes a few inches to let off the 

 steam and stagnated air, observing to close in the 

 afternoon, and cover at night. If the heat is violent, 

 about an inch of air might be left during the night. 

 In about three days, if all has been properly attended 

 to, the bed will be what is termed sweet. Then put in . 

 about six inches of fine garden soil; if heavy, mix a 

 little sand with it. Spread it level, and, when the soil 

 is heated through, sow in small drills from one eighth 

 to an inch deep, according to the size of the seeds. 

 Some very small kinds do best when sown upon the 

 surface. When sown, give gentle sprinklings of 

 water until they come up, when it will be necessary to 

 give air to prevent them from being weak, or damping 

 off, ivhich many of them will do if they have not air 

 regiilarly admitted. When they begin to crowd, thin 

 thejin out, to allow those that remain to grow strong. 

 It is better at all times to have one strong, healthy 

 plant, than two weak and sickly objects. 



