A GARDEN KALENDAR 253 



of y e Melon-frames into long Icicles on the Edges of the 

 lights. 



17. Prepared & dunged the basons in the field, which 

 are to be planted with Annuals hereafter. Fine shower. 



1 8. Put a barrow of fine mellow earth into each 

 melon-light. Bed seems now to be very mild. More 

 soft showers. Earth-house of great Use to keep a con- 

 stant supply of fine mould dry & ready for the frames. 



April 20. Found the melon-hillocks so hot that I durst 

 not turn the plants into them : plunged the plants in the 

 pots into the hillocks. 



Turned-out some Hyacinths that were out of bloom 

 from the blowing-glasses into the flower border. 



Sowed Crop of Boorcole green, & red. Polyanths in 

 full bloom ; but not so fine as last Year. Several Hyacinths 

 in the border very large & handsome. White & yellow 

 Narcissuss with golden Cups blow very well both in glasses 

 & abroad. 



21. Found the melon-bed so hot still that I did not 

 trust the plants out of the pots. Earthed the bed all over 

 an inch thick to keep down the steam, which in the night 

 had spoiled three of the plants. Bored some holes very 

 deep in the back of the bed to let out the violent Heat. 

 I find a moderate thickness of tan, when laid on a good 

 strong bed of dung, to occasion a very dangerous, & 

 unequal Heat, so that there is scarce any Judging when 

 the earth is free from burning. For in shady weather it 

 will appear very mild ; but on a hot morning will rage 

 again as fierce as when it first came to its full heat. Tan 

 gives a mild & lasting heat by itself, but does not seem 

 suitable with dung. 



22. Took-out the tan the whole depth as wide as the 

 Hillocks, & mixed-up the hillocks with a little fresh earth. 

 Did not find the earth burnt but much too hot. Filled 

 the space whence the tan came with barrows of rotten 

 dung trod down very hard, about four Inches thick. 



Sowed four rows of dwarf kidney beans, the white sort ; 

 & a crop of Savoy-seed. Perfect Summer weather. 



