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XXXII. Upon the Economical Use of Melon Frames. By 

 Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq. F. R. S. President. 



Read June 6, 1837. 



It appears, at first view, a singular circumstance, that the gai dens 

 of England are least productive of good vegetables just at that 

 season of the year when light is most abundant, and the weather, 

 generally, most favourable to vegetation. In the month of June 

 the season of asparagus expires, the potatoes of the past year are 

 greatly deteriorated in quality, the flesh of the turnip, if that plant 

 be grown, is hard and fibrous; and the taste of the cabbage 

 becomes comparatively strong and unpalatable ; whilst, neither 

 pea nor bean, nor early potatoe, nor other vegetable of much, 

 value can be brought to table, unless in very favourable situations, 

 or raised under glass, and with the aid of artificial heat. Under 

 these circumstances, I have thought that an account of a method of 

 cultivating the turnip, by which that vegetable may be obtained in 

 a. very high state of perfection in the month of May and J une worth 

 communicating ; particularly as the mode of culture requires but 

 little trouble and expense, and no new machinery. 



I caused a hotbed to be made of oak leaves in the middle of 

 February, and when it had become warm in the end of that month, 

 it was covered with fresh loam, manured with the ashes of burned 

 weeds, to the depth of eight inches. In this, turnips were planted, 

 as soon as the young plants had just unfolded their seed leaves, 

 and for some time treated nearly as tender annual plants are usually 

 treated : but in repeating the experiment, I should sow the seeds 

 in the hotbed. 



