US THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. [Feb. 
and have as much as possible in a state of forwardness, in order to 
ease the great press of business, which will naturally come on next 
month. 
' Cucumbers and Melons. 
Where the raising of early cucumbers and melons was not begun 
last month, it may now be commenced the beginning or middle of 
this, with a greater prospect of success; observing exactly the same 
method of making the seed hot-bed, sowing the seed, and the gene- 
ral management of the bed and plants, as directed under the head 
Cucumbers, Sec. in the Kitchen-garden for January. 
Ridging out early Cucumbers and Melons. 
If the cucumber and melon plants, which were raised last month, 
or the beginning of this, have not suffered by any of the accidents that 
are attendant on them at this season, the former are now, and the 
latter will, in the course of this month, be arrived to a proper growth 
for ridging out into a larger hot-bed, finally to remain. 
A new bed or beds, for one or more large frames, should there- 
fore be prepared in due time for the reception of these plants, and 
made in the same manner as directed in January, pages 12 and 13; ob- 
serving, that such must be three feet and a half, or four feet high, 
when finished; for a less depth of dung will not produce the neces- 
sary heat which these plants require at this inclement season; and, 
besides, if the beds were made of a more shallow depth, their heat 
would be soon spent, and lining could not be applied to them with 
so much advantage: for the latter reason particularly, they must be 
made wholly above ground. 
The bed being finished, put on the frame or frame and lights, 
which will defend it from wet, and bring up the heat the sooner; 
tilting the upper ends of the lights a little, that the steam may pass 
off. In a week after the bed is made, if it has settled unequally, 
take off the frame, and make the bed level; then immediately put it 
on again for good. 
After this, let the state of the bed be daily examined with good 
attention; and when you find the violent heat is over, lay in the 
earth; but be sure to let that first pass away. 
The earth for this purpose should be rich, and tolerably dry; for 
that is a material article to be regarded at this season. The earth 
proper for cucumbers may be either any prepared compost of rich 
loam and rotten dung, or of the temperature of light rich kitchen- 
garden soil; but to prepare for this, you ought, about the latter end 
of Sept. or in October, (if the most convenient) to take from some 
quarter of the kitchen-garden, which is naturally light and dry, 
and well enriched by manure, a sufficient quantity of earth, and 
throw it up in a heap ridge-ways, in some dry place, open to the 
sun and air; mixing therewith at the same time some good rotten 
dung, breaking and blending the whole well together; a due quan- 
tity of this compost-heap should be carried into some shed, or 
other sheltered place, open in front to the sun or free air, a month 
