X24 THE KITCHEN GARDEN. [Feb. 
In those states where there is not severe frost to be encountered 
at this season, asparagus may be forced as directed above, without 
the assistance of a frame and lights; but in lieu thereof you must 
arch the bed over with hoops, and protect it from heavy rains and 
cold, with bass mats or other convenient covering, laid over these 
hoopsj and the earth on the beds must be confined, either with a 
shallow frame or with straw bands orVopes, three or four inches in 
diameter, fixed down neatly along the edge of the bed, with sharp 
pointed wooden pegs. 
Mushrooms. 
Take care that the mushroom beds are still well defended from 
heavy rains and frost, both of which would destroy the spawn. 
The covering of straw should not be less than fourteen or sixteen 
inches thick on every part of the bed 5 and at this season it would 
be proper to continue some large garden mats spread over the 
straw covering, to secure the bed more effectually from wet and 
cold 5 and observing, that if the wet at any time has penetrated 
quite through any part of the covering, the wet straw should be 
removed, and replaced with some that is clean and dry. 
If these beds are made under open sheds constructed for that 
purpose, it will be a great advantage, particularly in protecting 
them from too much wet, which is very injurious to them, espe- 
cially during the winter season. 
New mushroom beds may now be made where wantedj for the 
particular method, see October. 
Kidney Beans. 
Where early kidney-beans are wanted, you may, in the begin- 
ning, or any time this month, make a hot-bed for raising them; let 
this be made, as directed for cucumbers, to the height of three feet, 
and long enough for one or more frames, which, with their glasses, 
put on immediately; when the heat is come up, level the bed and 
cover the dung seven or eight inches deep with rich light earth, 
then draw drills from the back to the front a foot asunder, and au 
inch deep; drop the beans therein two or three inches apart, and 
smooth over the surface of the bed. 
Or you may sow the beans thick in a small hot-bed, or in pots 
therein to raise the plants about an inch in growth, then transplant 
them into a large hot-bed as above, to yield their produce. 
The best sorts for this purpose are the early cream-coloured 
dwarfs, early speckled, white and yellow dwarfs; because these 
kinds are of an early nature, and do not run so strong or rampant 
as the other sorts. 
When the plants begin to appear, raise the lights a little behind 
every mild day, to admit fresh air to strengthen their growth; give 
also occasional gentle waterings, continue the same care in their 
advancing state and support a proper heat in the bed; they will 
thus afford an early produce in April, &c. 
