MAR.] CUCUMBERS AND MELONS. 365 



placing a thick, round turf, a yard over, in the 

 middle of each light, so as that its centre may be 

 exactly under the plants, will generally be found 

 sufficiently safe. 



The frames may be put on ; and if the beds be 

 matted up at night, the heat will rise the sooner. 

 When it has risen a day or two, let the beds be 

 earthed over to the thickness of six inches, with 

 the proper and respective moulds, (see Section II. 

 on Soils for Cucumbers and Melons) previously ren- 

 dered quite dry, and sifted, or broken very fine. 



Next day the bed will be in a fit state to receive 

 the plants ; and if they have each got two or three 

 rough leaves, they are fit for being transplanted. 

 But before planting, if the beds have settled any- 

 wise unequally, let the frames be rectified, and be 

 set level, by placing boards, slates, or bricks, under 

 the low corners, as shall seem requisite to keep them 

 correct. Then make up the outsides of the bed 

 with dung, a few inches higher than the bottom of 

 the frames ; over which lay some dry litter, or fern 

 branches, and planks at top to walk on. 



Now gather up, from the surface of the beds, a 

 sufficient quantity of earth to raise hills whereon to 

 plant. They should be raised exactly in the middle 

 of each light ; about a foot broad at top, and to 

 within six inches of the glass. If the frames be of a 

 proper depth, they should be twelve or fifteen inches 

 high above the turf. Make a hole in each, suffi- 

 ciently large to receive the balls, which turn out of 

 the pots carefully, and as entire as possible ; placing 

 them level with the surface of the hill, filling in 



