164 



the month of April. The plants should be allowed 

 three years to establish themselves before they are 

 forced. In the month of October, before it is in- 

 tended to begin forcing, the stems should be carefully 

 cut off, and the surface cleared, and covered with 

 littery straw, 1 2 inches thick ; the trenches may also 

 be filled vsdth the same, in order to keep the whole 

 dry. If forcing is to begin on the 1st of December, 

 clear away the covering of litter to about 18 inches 

 farther than the length of the first frame; fill the 

 trenches with good, hot, stable-yard dung, well beaten 

 down, and carry up to about 18 inches higher than 

 the surface ; next fork up and rake the surface of the 

 bed, and immediately cover it, from lining to lining, 

 vdth prepared dung, a few inches higher than the 

 linings. In about twelve days after applying the 

 dung examine the bed. If the buds have begun to 

 appear, or as soon as they do, get the frame and 

 lights ready to be put on ; remove the dung from off 

 the bed, laying it on each side, the greater portion to 

 the back ; when the bed is cleared, sift over the sur- 

 face a little previously prepared fine mould ; set on 

 the frame and lights immediately, and work up the 

 linings with the dung taken off the bed, laying a part 

 at the ends ; and then double mat the frame for two 

 days. When the linings have taken their fresh heat, 

 the covering may be removed every morning as early 

 as the weather will permit, again matting up early 



