Jan.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 



15 



;md the following precautions, in order both to prevent too great a 

 heat in the bed, and that the plants may rise with a proper decree 

 of strength and healthful growth. 



Likewise observe, on the above considerations, that in covering 

 up, or applying the night covering of mats over the glasses, during 

 the time the strong heat and steam continue in the bed, it would 

 be proper when the mats are put on in the afternoon to raise the 

 upper ends of the glass or glasses, a quarter of an inch or a little 

 more or less, occasionally, both to give vent to the internal rank 

 steam, and to admit a moderate degree of fresh air; and in which 

 may fasten one of the covering mats to hang down a little over the 

 part where the lights are occasionally opened to prevent the cutting 

 external air from rushing immediately into the frame, especially 

 after the plants are advancing; but this, necessary as it is, cannot 

 be done with safety in very severe weather. 



Great care is requisite that the earth in the pots have not too 

 much heat, for the bed is yet very hot, and therefore let the degree 

 of internal heat in the bed be daily examined; and, if any thing of 

 burning should appear, you can conveniently raise the pots farther 

 from the dung, from which the danger proceeds, without disturbing 

 the seeds or plants, and thereby prevent all injury from too much 

 heat, provided you examine the bed every day, and give proper vent 

 to the rank steam within the frame, while of a burning quality. 



In two, three, or four days after the seed is sown, you may expect 

 the plants to appear; when it will be proper to admit fresh air to 

 them, by raising the upper end of the glass a little every day: and 

 if the earth in the pots appears dry, refresh it moderately with a 

 little water that has stood in the bed all night, just to take oft' the 

 cold chill; applying it about eleven or twelve o'clock of the day, 

 and principally only to the earth, about the roots, not over the tops 

 of the plants; which done, shut down the glasses close for about half 

 an hour or an hour, then opened again a little, and shut close to- 

 wards the evening; when continue to cover the glass every night 

 with garden mats. And at this time also, if the heat of the bed is 

 strong and the weather not very severe, raise the glass a little behind 

 with a prop, when you cover up in the evening, to give vent to the 

 steam; and nail a mat to hang down over the ends of the glass that 

 is raised, to break oft* the sharp edge of the external cold night air 

 from the plants; but when the heat is more moderate, the glasses 

 may be shut close every night, observing to uncover in proper time 

 every morning, to admit the essential benefit of day-light, sun, and 

 air, to the plants; being careful to continue the admission of fresh 

 air at all proper opportunities in the day-time, to promote strength 

 in the plants, otherwise they would run weak, and very Ions; and 

 feeble-shanked; raising the glass as before observed, and if windy 

 or very sharp air, to hang a mat before the place as above. 



On the day that the plants appear, sow a little more seed in the 

 same bed, in the manner before mentioned; for these tender plants 

 being liable to suffer by different causes at this season, it is proper, 

 therefore, to sow a little seed at three or four different times in the 



