JAN.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 7 



and the following precautions, in order both to prevent too great a 

 heat in the bed, and that the plants may rise with a proper degree 

 of strength and healthful growth. 



Likewise observe, on the above considerations, that in covering 

 up, or applying the night covering of mats over the glasses, during ' 

 the time the strong heat and steam continue in the bed, it would be 

 proper when the mats are put on in the afternoon, to raise the up- 

 per ends of the glass or glasses, a quarter of an inch or a little more 

 or less, occasionally, both to give vent to the internal rank steam, 

 and to admit a moderate degree of fresh air ; and in which may 

 fasten one of the covering mats to hang down a little over the part 

 where the lights are occasionally opened to prevent the cutting ex- 

 ternal air from rushing immediately into the frame, especially after 

 the plants are advancing; but this, necessary as it is, cannot be done 

 with safety in very severe weather. 



Great care is requisite that the earth in the pots have not too 

 much heat, for the bed is yet very hot, and therefore let the degree 

 of internal heat in the bed be daily examined ; and, if any thing of 

 burning should appear, you can conveniently raise the pots farther 

 from the dung, from which the danger proceeds, without disturbing 

 the seeds or plants, and thereby prevent all injury from too much 

 heat, provided you examine the bed every day, and give proper vent 

 to the rank steam within the frame, while of a burning quality. 



In two, three, or four days after the seed is sown, you may expect 

 the plants to appear ; when it will be proper to admit fresh air to 

 them, by raising the upper end of the glass a little every day : and 

 if the earth in the pots appears dry, refresh it moderately with a lit- 

 tle water that has stood in the bed all night, just to take off the cold 

 chill ; applying it about eleven or twelve o'clock of the day, and prin- 

 cipally only to the earth, about the roots, not over the tops of the 

 plants ; which done, shut down the glasses close for about half an 

 hour or an hour, then opened again a little, and shut close towards 

 the evening ; when continue to cover the glass every night with 

 garden mats. And at this time also, if the heat of the bed is strong 

 and the weather not very severe, raise the glass a little behind with 

 a prop, when you cover up in the evening, to give vent to the steam ; 

 and nail a mat to hang down over the ends of the glass that is raised, 

 to break off the sharp edge of the external cold night air from the 

 plants ; but when the heat is more moderate, the glasses may be 

 shut close every night, observing to uncover in proper time every 

 morning, to admit the essential benefit of day -light, sun, and air, to 

 the plants ; being careful to continue the admission of fresh air at 

 all proper opportunities in the day-time, to promote strength in the 

 plants, otherwise they would run weak, and very long and feeble- 

 shanked ; raising the glass as before observed, and if windy or very 

 sharp air, to hang a mat before the place as above. 



On the day that the plants appear, sow a little more seed in the 

 same bed, in the manner before mentioned ; for these tender plants 

 being liable to suffer by different causes at this season, it is proper, 

 therefore, to sow a little seed at three or four different times in the 



