173 



MARCH. 



THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 



THE weather in this month, both in the middle and eastern 

 states, is very unsettled ; sometimes it proves dry and frosty ; 

 sometimes tolerably warm and comfortable ; at other times cold 

 and wet, with storms of strong winds, hail, snow and rain, which 

 makes a diligent attendance on the hot-beds absolutely necessary ; 

 otherwise, they often miscarry, and all the preceding trouble and 

 expence is lost. 



Let me here observe, that snow ought never to be suffered to re- 

 main, but as short a time as possible, either on the hot-bed lights, 

 covers, or about the beds ; for the cold produced thereby, often pe- 

 netrates through a slight covering, especially, if there is not 

 a strong bottom heat, and produces a kind of hoar-frost in the 

 inside of the frame, which seldom fails to do considerable injury ; 

 and likewise, when suffered to lodge round the beds, it causes a 

 sudden decline of the heat. 



Care of early Cucumbers and Melons. 



Examine the state of the cucumber and melon hot-beds, and see 

 if they are of a proper degree of heat, so as to preserve the plants 

 in a state of free growth. 



You must let the heat be lively, but moderate, by which means 

 the ridged-out plants of good growth will show fruit plentifully, and 

 these will swell 'freely, and grow to a handsome size. 



If you find the heat declined, apply a lining of fresh horse-dung, 

 as directed in last month, page 9 ; to which, I refer you for general 

 instructions on this subject. 



Let the plants have fresh air every day, by raising the upper end 

 of the glasses, from about half an inch, to one or two inches in 

 height, in proportion to the heat of the bed, and warmness of the 

 weather ; always more freely in sunny, calm, mild days, than when 

 cloudy or a sharp external air ; and when the weather changes 

 colder, diminish the admission of air, or shut down the glasses ; and 

 always shut close in proper time towards evening, about three or 

 four o'clock, <kc. according to the temperature of the weather. 



Refresh them now and then with water ; let this be given very 

 moderately, and in a mild sunny day ; the best time for doing this is 

 from ten to two o'clock. 



Cover the glasses with mats every afternoon, as soon as the sim 

 is off them ; or, if a dark day, and the weather is severe, at such 

 period as you may think necessary, according to the degree of heat 

 or cold that may be prevalent at the time ; and uncover in the 



