186 On the Economical Use of Melon Frames, 



Plants of any of the varieties of dwarfish early turnip may be 

 placed with advantage in rows of fourteen inches distance, and with 

 intervals of four inches only between the plants in the rows. I 

 raised at the same time an equal number of plants, in small pots of 

 four inches external diameter, and five inches deep, to be placed 

 between the rows abovementioned, and to be planted out in the 

 open ground in the first week of April. At that period, the frames 

 and lights were removed, the plants having been gradually exposed 

 to the open air and light, and another hotbed of similar form and 

 size having been prepared, the frames and lights were put upon it. 

 Potatoes were planted in it, which had previously been made to 

 germinate. These remained under glass till the 20th of May, 

 when they had acquired a large size ; and they are now as mature 

 as potatoes usually are, in favourable seasons, in the beginning of 

 July. Upon the 20th of May, the frame was removed to another 

 hotbed, in which I had intended to put melon plants of a month 

 old ; but owing to some seeds which I had sowed, not having ger- 

 minated, I have been obliged to use younger plants ; and my 

 melons consequently, which would have ripened early in July, will 

 probably not ripen till near the end of that month. 



The turnips which remained permanently in the hotbed, became 

 fit for use, in the middle of May, and have all been consumed, hav- 

 ing proved very excellent, for any season : and those which were 

 planted in the pots abovementioned, and removed to the open 

 ground, are now fit for use. Some of these might probably have 

 been placed with advantage under the shade of a north wall, but it 

 did not occur to me to try the experiment. The mould in which 

 all the plants abovementioned grew, and particularly that of the 

 hotbed, was permanently kept very moist, with, I have reason to 

 believe, very beneficial effects. A thin lining of hay, presenting 

 the appearance of the commencement of a bird's nest was put into 

 each of the pots, as is always done in my garden with all plants 

 which are to be repotted or moved within a short time. Amongst 



