PREFACE. XV 



damaged, is certainly preferable ; this will have 

 the desired effect in promoting a top heat, and 

 obviating the difficulty above-mentioned, in 

 keeping the plants perfectly dry. 



To those who are unacquainted with the 

 management of a dung bed, a brick one cer- 

 tainly appears more advantageous, in being 

 attended with less trouble to the horticulturist, 

 though infinitely with more expense, both in the 

 building and consumption of dung : this, how- 

 ever, is a mistaken idea, for nothing certainly 

 can be more congenial to the growth of either 

 the cucumber or melon than a sweet steam heat : 

 this essential requisite, which may always be 

 obtained by the process hereafter described, can 

 be but partially promoted in brick pits ; for 

 although water, in its necessary application, may 

 create a steam heat, it soon evaporates ; and 

 the heat of the linings having to pass through 



