|24 TIIE KITCHEN GARDEN [Feb. 



In those states where there is not severe frost to be encountered 

 at this season, asparagus may be forced as directed above, without 

 the assistance of a. frame and lights; but in lieu thereof you must 

 arch the bed over with hoops, and protect it from heavy rains and 

 cold, with bass mats or other convenient covering, laid over these 

 hoops; ami the earth on the beds must be confined, either with a 

 shallow frame or with straw bands or ropes, three or four inches in 

 diameter, fixed down neatly along the edge of the bed, with sharp 

 pointed wooden pegs. 



Mushrooms. 



Take care that tlie mushroom beds are still well defended from 

 heavy rains and frost, both of which would destroy the spawn. 



The covering of straw should not be less than fourteen or sixteen 

 inches thick on every part of the bed; and at this season it would 

 be proper to continue some large garden mats spread over the 

 straw covering, to secure the bed more effectually from wet and 

 cold; and observing, that if the wet at any time has penetrated 

 quite through any part of the covering, the wet straw should be 

 removed, and replaced with some that is clean and dry. 



If these beds are made under open sheds constructed for that 

 purpose, it will be a great advantage, particularly in protecting 

 them from too much wet, which is very injurious to them, espe- 

 cially during the winter season. 



New mushroom beds may now be made where wanted; for the 

 particular method, see October. 



Kidney Beans. 



Where early kidney-beans are wanted, you may, in the begin- 

 ning, or any time this month, make a hot-bed for raising them; let 

 this be made, as directed for cucumbers, to the height of throe feet, 

 and long enough for one or more frames, which, with their glasses, 

 put on immediately; when the heat is come up, level the bed and 

 cover the dung seven or eight inches deep with rich light earth, 

 I hen draw drills from the back to the front a foot asunder, and an 

 inch deep; drop the beans therein two or three inches apart, and 

 smooth over the surface of the bed. 



Or you may sow the beans thick in a small hot-bed, or in pots 

 therein to raise the plants about an inch in growth, then transplant 

 them into a large hot-bed as above, to yield their produce. 



The best sorts for this purpose are the early cream-coloured 

 dwarfs, early speckled, white and yellow dwarfs; because these 

 kinds arc of an early nature, and do not run so strong or rampant 

 as the other sorts. 



When the plants begin to appear, raise the lights a little behind 

 every mild day, to admit fresh air to strengthen their growth; give 

 also occasional gentle waterings, continue the same (are in their 

 advancing state and support a proper heat in the bed: they will 

 thus afford an early produce in April, &c. 



