74 RANUNCULUSES', 
thick; but the ftfaw (hould be taken off 
at all favourable times ; for the effefls of 
covering too much, or too long, are as 
deftruftive as the reverfe, efpecially before 
the roots have begun to vegetate, becaufe 
they are then more liable to become 
mouldy than at any other period, than 
which nothing can be -more prejudicial. 
Early in the fpring, when the plants 
make their appearance above ground, fo 
as to render the rows eafily difcernible, 
the fur face of the earth, between each 
row, (hould be trodden or beaten, fo as 
to make it firm and compadt; and if the 
foil is compreffed with the fingers, quite 
clofe to the plants, it will keep out any 
cold drying winds that may happen, and 
prove beneficial. It is advifable to 
make choice of a fine dry day, foon 
after rain, whilft the ground is dill moift, 
to perform the above operation: when it 
is 
