181 
MARCH. 
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 diligent attendance on the hot-beds absolutely necessary; 
otherwise, they often miscarry, and all the preceding trouble and 
expence 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 pe- 
netrates 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 seidom fails to do considerable injury; 
and likewise, when suffered 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 
or cold that may be prevalent at the time; and uncover in the 
