94 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



before planting. The roots should be carefully examined for 

 red spots, and if any with this appearance are found they must 

 be rejected and burnt, or the fungus which causes the spots will 

 spoil the plants before they can mature. 



The beds are sown and planted as they are made and become 

 warm ; by this method the crops mature in regular succession. 

 When all the section is filled, and the beds are all sown and 

 planted, the outsides of the frames must be banked up and 

 the pathways between filled' with fresh manure, almost to the 

 level of the lights (see diagram). 



Diagram showing how Manure is packed on the outsides of the Frames. 



Routine Work. 1 Cover the lights each night with mats and 

 uncover each morning. In performing this operation roll up 

 each mat tightly and lay it along the woodwork where two lights 

 join. Here the mats are out of the way and cause very little 

 obstruction to light. As soon as the radishes show, give air by 

 raising the lights slightly on the side opposite that from which 

 the wind blows. If the radishes near the outsides of the bed 

 move slowly it is due to the cooling of the manure at that part, 

 and when this occurs pull down the manure on the outside and 

 bank up with some fresh. If the radishes in any part appear 

 to be drawn it will be caused through too much heat, and a little 

 more air must be given, but this must be done with caution as 

 much ventilation is not good for the forcing cabbage lettuce. 

 Look through the frames occasionally and remove any decayed 

 leaves which may be seen amongst them. 



Some radishes should be fit for gathering about four weeks 

 after sowing ; if the bed is warm the whole should be cleared 

 away by the end of the fifth week, and this will be to the ad- 

 vantage of the carrots, which by this time will be showing all 

 over the bed. So far no watering has been necessary, the 

 manure having given off sufficient moisture for all the require- 

 ments of the plants, but after the radishes are gone the bed 



