£0 The Kitchen Garden. [Feb. 



of the accidents that are attendant on them at this feafdn, 

 they will now be arrived to a proper fizc for ridging out 

 into a larger hot- bed, finally to remain ; a neAV hot bed, 

 for one or more large frames, (hould therefore be prepared 

 in due time for their reception. 



Provide for that purpofe, the beginning of this month, 

 as much new horfe-dung as will make a bed for one or more 

 frames, three feet and a half high. The neceiTary quan- 

 tity, is one tolerable cart load to every light ; fo, if for a 

 three-light frame, three load is rcqulnte -, or about fix and 

 thirty or forty large wheel-barrows full ; and fo in propor- 

 tion for every fuch frame. The dung being procured, let 

 it be thrown up in a high henp, and let it lie eight, ten, 

 or twelve days, according to the condition of it, or quan- 

 tity you intend to ufe. If poffible, let the heap be turned 

 over once in the time, which will let the rank ftcam and 

 firongftenchofthedung pafs oft'; and by mixing the parts 

 together, it will mellow, and prepare the dung well, by 

 which means it will work kindly, when made up in the 

 bed ; the heat will be fteady and laRing, and not apt to 

 burn. 



The dung being thus prepared, proceed to making the 

 hot-bed : begin the bed by fhaking fome of the longell dung 

 into the bottom, then take the dung as it comes to hand, 

 and fhake it equally on every part, and beat it down v.'ith 

 the fork from time to time as you go on. In this manner 

 let the bed be carried up neatly and even on every fide 

 three feet and a half high ; which fubftance may appear 

 confiderable at firlt, but we muil allow for fettling, as it 

 will probably fettle a foot in Icfs than a fortnight. - 



The bed being finilhed, put on the frame and lights, 

 v/hich will defend the bed from wet, and bring up the heat 

 the fooner ; tilting one end of the lights a little, that the 

 Iteam may pafs off. In a week after the bed is made, if it 

 has fettled unequally, take off the frame, and make the bed 

 level, then immediately put on the frame again for good. 



After this let the Hate of the bed be daily examined with 

 good attention ; and when you find the violent heat is over, 

 you may lay in the earth, but be fure let the burning heat 

 be over firft. 



The earth for this purpofe Ihould be rich, and it fhould 

 alfo be quite dry ; for that is a material article to be re- 

 garded at this feafon. The earth proper for cucumber*, 



may 



