Jan.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. yj 



occurs, in proper quantity as above. And being thus procured, 

 proceed to making the hot-bed, or previously to forming it into a 

 bed, if the dung is rank, it would be proper to prepare it a little to 

 an improved state, more successful for that purpose, by forking the 

 whole up into a heap, mixing it well together, and let it thus remain 

 eight or ten days to ferment equally, and for the rank steam and 

 fierce heat to transpire, or evaporate in some effectual degree; and 

 by which time it will have acquired a proper temperament for 

 making into a hot-bed, by which treatment the heat will be steadv 

 and lasting, and not so liable to become violent or burning, as 

 when the dung is not previously prepared. 



Choose a place on which to make your hot-bed, in a sheltered dry 

 part of the framing ground,* &c. open to the morning and south 

 sun; and it maybe made either wholly on the surface of the ground, 

 or in a shallow trench, of from six to twelve inches deep, and four 

 or five feet wide, according to the frame; but if made entirely on 

 the surface, which is generally the most eligible method at this early 

 season, it affords the opportunity of lining the sides of the bed with 

 fresh hot dung, quite down to the bottom, to augment the heat when 

 it declines, and also prevents wet from settling about the bottom 

 of the bed, as often happens when made in a trench, which chills 

 the dung, and causes the heat soon to decay. 



Then according to the size of the frame, mark out the dimen- 

 sions of the bed, either on the ground, or with four stakes, making 

 an allowance for it to be about four or five inches wider than the 

 frame each way; this done, begin to make the bed accordingly, ob- 

 serving to shake and mix the dung well, as you lay it on the bed, 

 and beat it down with the back of the fork as you go on: but I 

 would not advise treading it, for a bed which is trodden hard 

 will not work so kindly, and be more liable to burn that which 

 is suffered to settle gradually of itself: in this manner proceed 

 till the bed has arrived at the height of four feet, which will not 

 be too much; making an allowance for its settling six or eight 

 inches, or more, in a week or fortnight's time; and as soon as 

 finished, let the frame and glass be put on: keep them close till 

 the heat comes up, then raise the glass behind that the steam may 

 pass away. 



The next thing to be observed, is about earthing the bed, in which 

 to sow the seed; and for which occasion, should have a proper sup- 

 ply of rich, light, dry earth, or compost, ready at this season, under 

 some airy dry shed, or hovel, covered at top to keep out rain, that 

 the earth may be properly dry; for if too moist or wet at this time, 

 it would prove greatly detrimental both to the growth of the seed and 

 young plants, as well as be very apt to cake and burn at bottom next 

 the dung, by the strong heat of the bed: therefore, observing, that 

 for early hot-beds of cucumbers and melons, should generally depo- 



* Framing Ground is a part of the Kitchen Garden, well defended from 

 cutting winds, and well exposed to the sun; particularly intended for 

 framing of all kinds, and generally enclosed with live or reed hedges, or 

 board fences, the former being the most preferable. 



