French Garden. Crops, &c. 93 



under the feet of the frame until the level is satisfactory. 

 When finished the whole should present an even surface, and 

 if properly placed on the bed they will retain this level to 

 the end, but if insufficient care is exercised they will sink in 

 some places and rise in others, which besides having a slovenly 

 appearance will often cause rainwater to drip inside the frame, 

 and so spoil the crop. 



Set the frames end to end, about half an inch apart, so as to 

 allow sufficient play for the lights to move easily, as there are 

 no runners between them. Having fixed the frames, throw 

 inside compost from the ridges, until there is a depth of about 

 4in. all over the manure ; then make all level with a fine rake, 

 and remove all lumps. Put on the lights and cover with mats, 

 then , proceed to lay down the manure for the next row of 

 frames. This is joined up to the first bed of manure, no gap 

 intervening, so that when finished one large bed covers the 

 whole section. This keeps the heat in better and allows the 

 frames to be set closer together, lOin. only being allowed for 

 walking space between two rows of frames. 



The work should be so contrived that the portion of the bed 

 for one row of frames is finished and covered before being left 

 at night. This is of importance at this time of the year, when 

 there may be rain or snow for days together; if this occurs 

 when the beds are left uncovered they will be spoiled. 



Sowing and Planting. In two or three days after the first 

 bed is covered the manure will begin to get warm, as may be 

 seen by the moisture on the glass. Then is the time to sow 

 and plant. Take off the lights and sow radish seed broadcast, 

 very thinly and evenly, all over the bed. Follow this by sowing 

 forcing carrot seed on the same bed and in the same way. 

 Cover thinly with dry sifted compost, and press all over evenly 

 with the firming board. Then plant the forcing cabbage lettuce 

 from under the cloches on the same bed, five rows under 

 each light and five plants to a row. The row at the south 

 side of the frame should be set further away from the board 

 than that at the opposite side so as enable sufficient direct sun- 

 light to reach the plants. Only the strongest should be used 

 for the earliest beds. All decayed leaves should be removed 



