Feb.] the KITCHEN-GARDEN. 119 
or a fortnight at least before you want it, that it may be preserved 
perfectly dry for earthing the bed. 
Then, when the bed is in order, lay about half a bushel, or rather 
move, of earth, under the middle of each light, rising each parcel of 
earth in a round hillock about ten inches high; let the spaces 
between the hills, and quite to the sides of the frame, be covered 
with the same sort of earth, only t»vo or three inches thick at this 
time, while the bed is in strong heat, for lear of burning, as explained 
below; but which, when the heat is become moderate, is by degrees 
to be augmented, till raised as high as the top of the hills, as here- 
after directed. 
The reason for laying the earth in little hills, and not earthing the 
bed fully at once, is by way of precaution, in case of violent after- 
heat, in which case it will more readily pass off in steam, between 
the hills; and likewise, because we may venture to use the bed 
some days sooner than if it was earthed all over at once to the full 
thickness; for, if the bed should burn after the plants are in, you 
can more readily prevent the earth, and also the roots of the plants 
from being burnt thereby, by drawing the earth away from round 
the bottom of the hills, if it burns, and supplying the places with 
more fresh mould. 
As soon as the bed is earthed as above, put on the glasses; and by 
the next day, the hillocks of earth will be warm; if they are, level 
the top of each a little, so that they may be about eight or nine 
inches deep; then proceed to put in the plants, the cucumbers and 
melons separately, in different hot-beds, or distinct frames, &c. 
Previous to this, observe, that as having last month directed the 
plants to be pricked into small pots, three in each separately; and 
as they are now to be turned out of these pots with the balls of earth 
entire, and planted, one pot of plants in each of the above hills, 
I would intimate, in this final transplanting, that two of the 
best cucumber plants, and only one melon, would be sufficient to 
remain, cutting the others away as soon after planting as you are 
able to distinguish which are most likely to do well; however, it is 
adviseable, previously to transplanting, that, in order to have the 
whole ball of earth adhere closely about the roots, to give the pots 
some water the day before; and the method of planting is this: 
having some pots of the strongest plants ready, place your hand on 
the surface of the pot, taking the stems of the plants carefully be- 
tvveen your fingers; then turn the mouth of the pot downwards, 
and strike the edge gently on the frame; the plants, with the ball 
of earth to their roots, will come out entire; then making a hole 
in the middle of each hill of earth, place one pot of plants, with the 
ball entire, in each hole, closing the earth well round it, and 
about an inch over the top, bringing the earth close round the stems 
of the plants; this done, shut down all the lights close for the pre- 
sent, till the steam rises again strong; then they must be tilted a 
little behind, in proportion, to give it vent. 
The plants being ridged out finally into the beds where they are 
to remain for fruiting, you must be careful to give them fresh air 
every day, by raising the glasses a little for its admission, and for 
