FEB.], THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 125 



below; but which, when the heat is become moderate, is by degrees 

 to be augmented till raised as high as the top of the hills, as here- 

 after directed. 



The reason for laying the earth in little hills, and not earthing the 

 bed fully at once, is by way of precaution in case of violent afterheat, 

 in which case it will more readily pass off in steam between the hills; 

 and likewise, because we may venture to use the bed some days 

 sooner than if it was earthed all over at once to the full thickness ; 

 for if the bed should burn after the plants are in, you can more 

 readily prevent the earth and also the roots of the plants from being 

 burnt thereby, by drawing the earth away from around the bottom 

 of the hills if it burns, and supplying the places with more fresh 

 mould. 



As soon as the bed is earthed as above, put on the glasses, and by 

 the next day the hillocks of earth will be warm ; if they are, level 

 the top of each a little, so that they may be about eight or nine 

 inches deep; then proceed to put in the plants, the cucumbers, and 

 melons separately, in different hot-beds, or distinct frames, &c. 



Previous to this observe, that as having last month directed the 

 plants to be pricked into small pots, three in each separately, and as 

 they are now to be turned out of these pots with the balls of earth 

 entire, and planted, one pot of plants in each of the above hills, I 

 would intimate, in this final transplanting, that two of the best cucum- 

 ber plants and only one melon, would be sufficient to remain, cutting 

 the others away as soon after planting as you are able to distinguish 

 which are most likely to do well; however, it is advisable, previously 

 to transplanting, that, in order to have the whole ball of earth adhere 

 closely about the roots, to give the pots some water the day before ; 

 and the method of planting is this : having some pots of the strongest 

 plants ready, place your hand on the surface of the pot, taking the 

 stems of the plants carefully between your fingers, then turn the 

 mouth of the pot downwards, and strike the edge gently on the frame, 

 the plants with the ball of earth to their roots will come out entire ; 

 then making a hole in the middle of each hill of earth, place one pot 

 of plants with the ball entire in each hole, closing the earth well 

 around it, and about an inch over the top, bringing the earth close 

 around the stems of the plants ; this done, shut down all the lights 

 close for the present, till the steam rises again strong, then they must 

 be tilted a little behind, in proportion, to give it vent. 



The plants being ridged out finally into the beds where they are to 

 remain for fruiting, you must be careful to give them fresh air every 

 day, by raising the glasses a little for its admission, and for the great 

 steam to pass off; and it is necessary to cover the lights every night 

 with mats, putting them on about half an hour before the time of sun- 

 setting, or a little earlier or later as the weather happens to be either 

 mild or severe, and uncover them in the morning as soon after the 

 sun begins to shine on them, or after sun-rising, as the state of the 

 weather will permit : in covering up, observe, that while the bed is 

 very hot, and the steam copiously rising, never to let the ends of the 

 mats hang down over the dung outside of the frame, which would 

 draw up a hurtful steam, and stifle the plants. 



