Jan.] 



THE FORCING GARDEN. 



G85 



and in this state put into a large pot or box, and rendered 

 rather damp by water, and then placed in a melon or cucum- 

 ber-frame, or in any of the hot-houses at work. In a few 

 days the seeds will have germinated, and when they are in this 

 state, take them to the bed, which is supposed now to be ready 

 for their reception ; sow them carefully, and cover lightly with 

 fine dry light mould, to the depth of a quarter of an inch. 

 This promotion of the germination of the seeds will forward 

 the crop considerably, and when the heat begins to decline, 

 apply gentle linings. When the seeds are up, admit plenty 

 of air, as already directed for mustard and cress, when the wea- 

 ther becomes mild enough not to injure them. By the end 

 of February, or beginning of March, the frame and lights 

 may be removed, and the beds covered at night, and in bad 

 weather with canvas or mats, supported by means of hoops 

 placed over the beds. The Early Horn and Altringham sorts 

 are to be preferred for this purpose. 



FORCING MINT, TANSEY, AND OTHER HERBS. 



Mint, both for salads and mint sauce, will be wanted in 

 most families. Tansey is not now so generally used as for- 

 merly, but still some families hold Tansey pudding in high 

 repute, ])articularly in the north of England. For the pur- 

 pose of having these plants in perfection in winter, and early 

 in the spring, it is necessary to plant some of their roots upon 

 a slight hot-bed of dung or leaves, protected by frames and 

 lights. A bed of the same size as has been recommended for 

 carrots, will be found perfectly sufficient for this purpose, upon 

 which place six or eight inches of dry light mould of any sort, 

 on which to place the roots pretty thickly together, so as to 

 take up as little room as possible. When the roots are all 

 placed in the frame, cover them with mould of the same de- 

 scription. Give water as occasion requires, and admit at all 

 times plenty of air; by the middle or end of next month, the 

 frames and lights may be removed, if wanted for other uses, and 

 the plants protected by hooping the beds over, and covering 

 with mats or canvas. When Tarragon is in request in a green 

 state, it may be procured in the same manner; a three-light 



