Jan.] the KITCHEN GARDEN. 15 
and the following precautions, in order both to prevent too great a 
heat in the bed, and that the plants may rise with a proper degree 
of strength and healthful growth. 
Likewise observe, on the above considerations, that in covering 
up, or applying the night covering of mats over the glasses, during 
the time the strong heat and steam continue in the bed, it would 
be proper when the mats are put on in the afternoon to raise the 
upper ends of the glass or glasses, a quarter of an inch or a little 
more or less, occasionally, both to give vent to the internal rank 
steam, and to admit a moderate degree of fresh airj and in which 
may fasten one of the covering mats to hang down a little over the 
part where the lights are occasionally opened to prevent the cutting 
external air from rushing immediately into the frame, especially 
after the plants are advancing; but this, necessary as it is, cannot 
be done with safety in very severe weather. 
Great care is requisite that the earth in the pots have not too 
much heat, for the bed is yet very hot, and therefore let the degree 
of internal heat in the bed be daily examined; and, if any thing of 
burning should appear, you can conveniently raise the pots farther 
from the dung, from which the danger proceeds, without disturbing 
the seeds or plants, and thereby prevent all injury from too much 
heat, provided you examine the bed every day, and give proper vent 
to the rank steam within the frame, while of a burning quality. 
In two, three, or four days after the seed is sown, you may expect 
the plants to appear; when it will be proper to admit fresh air to 
them, by raising the upper end of the glass a little every day: and 
if the earth in the pots appears dry, refresh it moderately with a 
little water that has stood in the bed all night, just to take oft' the 
cold chill; applying it about eleven or twelve o'clock of the day, 
and principally only to the earth, about the roots, not over the tops 
of the plants; which done, shut down the glasses close for about half 
an hour or an hour, then opened again a little, and shut close to- 
wards the evening; when continue to cover the glass every night 
with garden mats. And at this time also, if the heat of the bed is 
strong and the weather not very severe, raise the glass a little behind 
with a prop, when you cover up in the evening, to give vent to the 
steam; and nail a mat to hang down over the ends of the glass that 
is raised, to break off the sharp edge of the external cold night air 
from the plants; but when the heat is more moderate, the glasses 
may be shut close every night, observing to uncover in proper time 
every morning, to admit the essential benefit of day-light, sun, and 
air, to the plants; being careful to continue the aclmission of fresh 
air at all proper opportunities in the day-time, to promote strength 
in the plants, otherwise they would run weak, and very long and 
feeble-shanked; raising the glass as before observed, and if Avindy 
or very sharp air, to hang a mat before the place as above. 
On the day that the plants appear, sow a little more seed in the 
same bed, in the manner before mentioned; for these tender plants 
being liable to suffer by different causes at this season, it is proper, 
therefore, to sow a little seed at three or four different times in the 
