72 



ON THE MANAGEMENT 



moisture, in order to give the cuttings as much 

 free air as possible ; but at the same time to protect 

 them from frost. The putting the cuttings in 

 pots, and this management of them, is only intended 

 to keep them as fresh as possible till the planting 

 season. 



As the cuttings require a hot-bed, and the 

 beginning of March being the proper season for 

 planting them, dung should be previously provided 

 for the purpose, I will not take up the reader's 

 time in going through the common process in the 

 preparation of the dung, and the making of the 

 hot-bed, these operations being generally under- 

 stood by almost every gardener ; let it therefore 

 suffice to say, that the bed should be, in all respects, 

 adjusted as if intended for melons, and proportioned 

 in its dimensions to the quantity of plants designed 

 to be raised. 



In about three weeks after the bed has been 

 made, and its furious fermentation has subsided, 

 take off the frame, and let the bed be well trodden 

 and made smooth ; and in such manner that the 

 surface may have an easy declivity to the south. 

 Then replace the frame, and cover the bed about 

 six inches deep with very fine light sandy earth, 

 in which the pots are to be plunged. Tan would 

 answer this purpose, but I prefer a light sandy 

 soil, because (a constant steam naturally rising 

 from the hot-bed) the steam that proceeds from 

 soil is more agreeable and wholesome to the cut- 

 tings, than the stench that evaporates from tan. 



