Page:The family kitchen gardener - containing plain and accurate descriptions of all the different species and varieties of culinary vegetables (IA familykitchengar56buis).pdf/57

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up the heat; air should then be admitted for a few days, during the day, by tilting up the sash at the back a few inches, to allow the steam to pass off, which it generally does in four or five days or less. Supposing the bed now in order, put in a quantity (three barrow-loads) of light, rich loam: none better than that from the surface of the woods. In two or three days the earth will be sufficiently warm for sowing the seeds. If the plants are to be removed into other frames, sow them in pots; if not to be removed, sow them in a hill made in the centre of the bed, by placing one barrow-full more of earth in it. Sow a few dozen seeds to meet contingencies, or any extra supply, in pots, in case of damping off—which frequently happens in cloudy Winter weather. Cover the sash at night with straw mats, or any similar protection, and surround the bed with litter or boards, to keep the piercing winds from carrying off the heat. The seed should be two or three years old; (it is better than new seed, which goes more to vine than fruit.) It will be up in twenty-four hours, and in two or three days will grow into strong plants. During their growth, admit fresh air every day at the back; give the young plants as much light as possible; when they have attained their third rough leaf, nip the point off the vine, to cause it to branch. If the soil or the plants appear to be dry, give them water in the forenoon, which has been kept in the bed during the previous night, that it may be in a warm state. The plants succeed best when they are transplanted, and plant them deep enough for the earth to reach to their seed-leaves. As the plants grow, roots will protrude from their stems, to which earth may be drawn. The roots will also appear through the hill, to which a farther supply of fresh soil may be added. When the plants have grown and the sun is very warm, they may flag or droop: if so, sprinkle a few straws or a very thin mat on the glass, right over them, about mid-day; but it is best to grow them without this precaution; and it is unnecessary, when they have sufficient moisture, heat, and depth of soil. The