165 



enough in the afternoon, and keeping up the lieat of 

 the linings, should they decline. When the shoots 

 have risen about 2 inches, particular attention should 

 be given in admitting air, in order that the crop may 

 have a good colour ; and, with such management, 

 cutting may commence on Christmas-day. In ten 

 days after the crop in the first frame comes into use, 

 preparations must be made for the second, and so for 

 the third, in the way above described. The frames 

 are placed close to each other, and all managed in the 

 same way. The remaining portion of the bed receives 

 the first frame, and will only require a back and front 

 lining, which will give, assisted by the second and 

 third frames, a fair supply till the natural crop comes 

 in. When the forcing is over, the bed should be 

 covered, 3 inches thick, with rotten dung; and if 

 occasionally watered in the ensuing summer with 

 manured water, it much assists plants which are in- 

 tended to be forced every season. If the dung in the 

 trenches is wanted for other purposes, they should be 

 filled with litter, to preserve the sides of the bed from 

 drought. Forcing should not be begun always at the 

 same end of the bed, but alternately. Wood covers, 

 15 feet 6 inches in length, by 4 feet wide, are very 

 usefiil for sheltering the bed by night, or in severe 

 weather, especially in keeping the whole dry. It is 

 needless to show how far this system of forcing Aspa- 

 ragus may be extended, or to point out to practical 



