FORCING DEPARTMENT, 437 



is not formed within the pits erected for the Melon 

 or Cucumber plants, it should be made to fit a three 

 light Melon or Cucumber frame,, and this put on, 

 as soon as it is made up, in order to preserve the bed 

 from getting wet ; and to draw up the heat, by 

 keeping the lights shut close for a few days. But 

 as soon as the heat arises, the light must be removed 

 every fine day ; and if wet, a large admission of air 

 be given by tilting up the sashes, so as to allow the 

 rank steam to escape. When the heat has subsided, 

 and the bed appears of a moderate temperature, it 

 should be well trod and levelled, and then about 

 two inches of dry loam spread regularly over the sur- 

 face. After the bed is thus prepared, and the heat 

 well regulated, a fine dry day should be chosen for 

 taking up the plants. The Asparagus which has 

 produced the strongest, and most vigorous shoots, 

 the preceding Summer, should be selected for this 

 purpose. Their age is of little consequence, pro- 

 viding they are strong and healthy ; they should, 

 however, not be less than three or four years pre- 

 viously established. The roots must be very care- 

 fully taken up, injuring but as few of the small 

 fibres as possible ; neither should they be exposed to 

 the weather but as little as circumstances will 

 admit. They should be immediately carried to the 

 bed, and packed closely together, regularly over its 

 surface ; observing to keep the crowns as near to a 

 level as possible, and sprinkling a little fine dry 

 mould over them as you proceed, to fill up the spaces 

 amongst the roots; when the bed is thus finished, 

 and the soil used is very dry, a slight watering may 



