II.] 



THE AMERICAN GARDENER. 



49 



subject of Cabbage-Plants ; because I am to speak 

 of their culture, under the word, Cabbage^ in that 

 part of the work, which will treat of the cultiva- 

 tion of Vegetables. I am, in this part of my work, 

 to confine myself to the making and managing of 

 Hot-Beds ; and, I have selected the Cabbage-Plant^ 

 as a subject for explaining my meaning, because 1 

 think that the raising of that plant is one of the 

 most useful purposes, to which a hot-bed can be 

 applied in America. 



90. But, a Hot-Bed may be applied to many other 

 purposes. Lettuces may be raised in it. Pepper- 

 grass, Radishes, young Onions, may be raised. 

 Parsley-roots may be put in, and fine parsley ob- 

 tained in March. Asparagus may be raised in this 

 way. It is not worth while to attempt to bring 

 Cucumbers and Melons to fruit in a hot-bed : but 

 ihQ plants may be raised there, and afterwards put 

 out in the ground with great advantage in point of 

 time. Several sorts of annual /Zozijers and oi Green- 

 house plants may be got forward by a hot-bed, 

 which, without it, can hardly be got at all to any 

 great degree of perfection. Of the management 

 of these sorts of plants in a hot-bed I shall speak 

 under their several names ; but, on the manage- 

 ment of hot-beds, there yet remain to be made 

 some observations, which have a general applica- 

 tion. 



91. As to heat and air it will demand but little 

 attention to manage well. But, a little Termo- 

 metre, hung up, or laid down, in the bed, will be 

 of use. The heat should not exceed seventy-five 

 degrees in the day time, and sixty at night. If it 

 come down to fifty at night it is better. If you 

 cannot keep it down to sixty without giving a little 

 air at night, give it, by putting something under a 



