128 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [FEB. 



as above, it would perhaps run half a yard or two feet in length, 

 without putting out more runners to fill the frame, or probably 

 without showing a single fruit for it is upon these lateral shoots 

 or runners, produced after stopping the plants, that you may expect 

 fruit to appear in any tolerable time in the season. But let it be 

 also observed that when the said lateral shoots have three joints, and 

 that if any of them do not then show fruit at either of these, it will 

 be proper to pinch off the top of such shoots at the third joint, which 

 will promote their putting forth a supply of two or three new shoots, 

 some or all of which will most likely be fruitful ; and after this, 

 according as they advance in growth, train the runners along in regu- 

 lar order, cut out casual very weakly vines, and thin others where 

 very irregularly crowded. Thus, if the bed is well managed and the 

 plants are forward, those of the cucumbers will probably produce 

 proper sized fruit at the end of this month or beginning or middle of 

 the next, but the melons not so soon by six or eight weeks. (See 

 next month.) 



OF SOWING CUCUMBER AND MELON SEED. 



As there may be many persons who did not begin last month to 

 sow cucumbers for an early crop, it will here be proper to take notice 

 that the beginning, middle, or any time of this month is still a good 

 time to begin that work, making a hot-bed for sowing the seed as 

 directed in January, pages 21 and 22. 



Those which are sown early in this month, will, with good manage- 

 ment, produce fruit in the end of March, or beginning of April; and 

 those sown in the middle or latter end of the month will have fruit 

 in the end of April, and will bear plentifully in May. 



The beginning of this month is a very good time to sow melons for 

 a full crop in the frames. 



The seed hot-bed which is to be made now, either for cucumbers 

 or melons, must be of the same dimensions; and the seeds sown, and 

 plants managed as directed last month. 



But observe, that to be well supplied with cucumber or melon 

 plants, either to plant in new beds, or to have a reserve in case of 

 accidents happening to any already planted out, it will be very proper 

 to sow some seeds at three different times this month. 



These may be sown in such cucumber hot-beds as are already made 

 and in cultivation, and when fit to prick out, plant them in small 

 pots as directed last month, which may be plunged in the back part 

 of the same bed, where they may be kept till wanted, either for new, 

 or to supply any deficiency in the present beds. 



FORCING ASPARAGUS. 



Hot-beds for forcing early asparagus may be made any time this 

 month, for which purpose you must be provided with proper plants ; 

 these are previously raised in the natural ground from seed, as here- 

 after directed, which being transplanted from the seed-bed into others 

 duly prepared for their reception, and having two or three years' 



