JAN.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 5 



occurs, in proper quantity as above. And being thus procured, 

 proceed to making the hot-bed, or previously to forming it into a 

 bed, if the dung is rank, it would be proper to prepare it a little to an 

 improved state, more successful for that purpose, by forking the 

 whole up into a heap, mixing it well together ; and let it thus remain 

 eight or ten days to ferment equally, and for the rank steam and 

 fierce heat to transpire, or evaporate in some effectual degree ; and 

 by which time it will have acquireda proper temperament for mak- 

 ing into a hot-bed, by which treatment the heat will be steady and 

 lasting, and not so liable to become violent or burning, as when the 

 dung is not previously prepared. 



Choose a place on which to make your hot-bed, in a sheltered dry 

 part of the framing ground,* 5cc. open to the morning and south 

 sun : and it may be made either wholly on the surface of the ground, 

 or in a shallow trench, of from six to twelve inches deep, and four 

 or five feet wide, according to the frame ; but if made entirely on 

 the surface, which is generally the most eligible method at this early 

 season, it affords the opportunity of lining the sides of the bed with 

 fresh hot dung, quite down to the bottom, to augment the heat when 

 it declines, and also prevents wet from settling about the bottom of 

 the bed, us often happens wlu-n made in a trench, which chills the 

 dung, and causes the heat soon to decay. 



Then according to the size of the frame, mark out the dimensions 

 of the bed, cither on the Around, or with four stakes; making an 

 allowanc i lr it to be about four or five inches wider than the frame 

 ra< h way : this done, begin to make the bed accordingly, observing 

 to shake and mix the dung well, as you lay it on the bed, and beat 

 it down with the back of the fork, as you go on : but I would not 

 advise treading it, for a bed which is trodden hard will not work so 

 kindly, and he more liable to burn than that which issuflcred to set- 

 tle gradually of itself : in this manner proceed till the bed has ar- 

 rived at the height of four feet, which will not be too much ; mak- 

 ing an allowance for its settling six or eight inches, or more, in a 

 \t ek or fortnight's time ; and as soon as finished, let the frame and 

 glass be put on : kec p them close till the heat comes up, then raise 

 the glass behind that the steam may pass away. 



The next thing to be observed, is about earthing the bed, in which 

 to sow the seed ; and for which occasion, should have a proper sup- 

 ply of i id), light, dry earth, or compost, ready at this season, under 

 some airy dry shed, qr hovel, covered at top to keep out rain, that 

 the earth may be properly dry : for if too moist or wet at this time, 

 it would prove greatly detrimental both to the growth of the seed and 

 young plants, as well as be very apt to cake and burn at bottom next 

 the dung, by the strong heat of the bed: therefore, observing, that 

 for early hot-beds of cucumbers and melons, should generally depo- 



Framing Ground is a part of the Kitchen Garden, well defended from 

 cutting 1 \\ iiuis, and well exposed to the sun ; particularly intended for framing 

 of all kinds, and generally enclosed with live or re. ed hedges, or board fences, 



tiic former being the most preferable. 



