268 



HOTBEDS FOR EARLY 



examine it daily, and if the heat appears too 

 violent, immediately draw up the pots, until the 

 burning heat has subsided. 



The plants may remain in the first or nursery 

 frame till they have two or three rough leaves 

 two or three inches broad ; then they will be of 

 proper growth for ridging out into the main 

 fruiting hotbed. 



MAKING THE FRUITING HOTBEDS FOR EARLY 

 AND GENERAL CROPS OF MELONS ; WITH 

 THEIR MANAGEMENT THEREIN COPIOUSLY 

 LAID DOWN. * 



Par. 52. — We next proceed to prepare the 

 hotbed for fruiting the melons : this should be 

 made a week or more before finally transplanting 

 the plants, or what is more generally termed 

 ridging out for fruiting, in order that the bed may 

 be of a proper temperature to receive them. 



The bed should be made on the level ground, 

 about three feet and a half high, of stable dung 

 properly prepared, as before directed, and of 

 such dimensions, horizontally, as the size and 

 number of frames will require ; but three light 



