180 
W^uvtf^. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
The weather in this month, both in the middle and eastern states, 
is very unsettled; sometimes it proves dry and frosty, sometimes 
tolerably warm and comfortable, at other times cold and wet, with 
storms of strong winds, hail, snow and rain, which makes a dili- 
gent attendance on the hot-beds absolutely necessary; otherwise, 
they often miscarry, and all the preceding trouble and expense is 
lost. 
Let me here observe, that snow ought never to be suffered to re- 
main but as short a time as possible, either on the hot-bed lights, 
covers, or about the beds; for the cold produced thereby, often 
penetrates through a slight covering, especially if there is not a 
strong bottom heat, and produces a kind of hoar-frost in the inside 
of the frame, which seldom fails to do considerable injury; and 
likewise, when suff'ered to lodge round the beds, it causes a sudden 
decline of the heat. 
Care of Early Cucumbers and Melons. 
Examine the state of the cucumber and melon hot-beds, and see 
if they are of a proper degree of heat, so as to preserve the plants 
in a state of free growth. 
You must let the heat be lively, but moderate, by which means 
the ridged-out plants of good growth will show fruit plentifully, and 
these will swell freely and grow to a handsome size. 
If you find the heat declined, apply a lining of fresh horse-dung, 
as directed in January, page 17, to which I refer you for general 
instructions on this subject. 
Let the plants have fresh air every day, by raising the upper end 
of the glasses from about half an inch to one or two inches in 
height, in proportion to the heat of the bed and warmness of the 
weather; always more freely in sunny, calm, mild days, than when 
cloudy or a sharp external air; and when the weather changes 
colder, diminish the admission of air or shut down the glasses; and 
always shut close in proper time towards evening, about three or 
four o'clock, &c. according to the temperature of the weather. 
Refresh them now and then with water; let this be given very 
moderately, and in a mild sunny day; the best time for doing this 
is from ten to two o'clock. 
Cover the glasses with mats every afternoon as soon as the sun 
is off" them; or, if a dark day, and the weather is severe, at such 
period as you may think necessary, according to the degree of heat 
