180 



J&ardj* 



THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 



The weather in this month, both in the middle and eastern states, 

 is very unsettled; sometimes it proves dry and frosty, sometimes 

 tolerably warm and comfortable, at other times cold and wet, with 

 storms of strong winds, hail, snow and rain, which makes a dili- 

 gent attendance on the hot-beds absolutely necessary; otherwise, 

 they often miscarry, and all the preceding trouble and expense is 

 lost. 



Let me here observe, that snow ought never to be suffered to re- 

 main but as short a time as possible, either on the hot-bed lights, 

 covers, or about the beds; for the cold produced thereby, often 

 penetrates through a slight covering, especially if there is not a 

 strong bottom heat, and produces a kind of hoar-frost in the inside 

 of the frame, which seldom fails to do considerable injury; and 

 likewise, when suffered to lodge round the beds, it causes a sudden 

 decline of the heat. 



Care of Early Cucumbers and Melons. 



Examine the state of the cucumber and melon hot-beds, and see 

 if they are of a proper degree of heat, so as to preserve the plants 

 in a state of free growth. 



You must let the heat be lively, but moderate, by which means 

 the ridged-out plants of good growth will show fruit plentifully, and 

 these will swell freely and grow to a handsome size. 



If you find the heat declined, apply a lining of fresh horse-dung, 

 as directed in January, page 17, to which I refer you for general 

 instructions on this subject. 



Let the plants have fresh air every day, by raising the upper end 

 of the glasses from about half an inch to one or two inches in 

 height, in proportion to the heat of the bed and warmness of the 

 weather; always more freely in sunny, calm, mild days, than when 

 cloudy or a sharp external air; and when the weather changes 

 colder, diminish the admission of air or shut down the glasses; and 

 always shut close in proper time towards evening, about three or 

 four o'clock, ^c. according to the temperature of the weather. 



Refresh them now and then with water; let this be given very 

 moderately, and in a mild sunny dayj the best time lor doing this 

 is from ten to two o'clock. 



Cover the glasses with mats ever) afternoon as soon as the sun 

 is oft' them: or, if a dark day, and the weather is Bevere, at such 

 period as yon may think necessary, according to the degree of heat 



