g the water.

In ridging out the plants, one thing must be attended to in the
preparation of the bed, which has not been before mentioned. Hollow the
bed out to the depth of about four inches in the middle, so that if the
weather is cold or windy, the dung may be pulled down half way up the
hills, when it will be nearly level about the bed; but as soon as the
weather becomes mild, it must be drawn away again, or otherwise the heat
will be too violent for the roots. As mould is added to the roots, draw
the dung away level with the bottom of the hill; then put it half way up
again, being, however, regulated in this by the heat of the bed, and the
temperature of the weather. After the hills cover nearly three parts of
the bed, take the dung out which has been placed round them, and level
it with nearly the bottom of the box, leaving three or four inches
round the sides to keep out the rankness from the linings, as before
directed.

In covering up the plants, a single mat will be sufficient, until they
have been ridged out a fortnight, unless the weather is windy or very
cold; in such case, make use of a double mat or a little hay; be
careful, at the same time, not to give them too much covering at first,
as it will draw the plants, and cause them to grow very weak; in this,
however, you must be in some degree guided by the heat of the bed, and
the temperature of the weather. When there is a good heat, and the
weather is still, they will require less; but if there is much wind, or
the air is very cold, it must of course be increased. It seldom occurs
that plants require much covering until a fortnight before Christmas,
when it will be found necessary, if the weather is moderate, to cover
them from four to six inches. Instances have occurred, when the author
has been obliged to increase the covering to a foot in thickness, from
the intense cold; but this, however, is seldom the case; and from four
to six inches may generally be considered sufficient from December to
April. As the sun increases, and the nights become milder, reduce the
covering to three or four inches, until May; from whence to June a
single mat, or a little hay or litter will be sufficient. If the weather
is now seasonable, and the nights warm, they will not require any
covering, but should this not be the case, it is better to continue it
even until Midsummer.

Take particular care when covering up, after a fresh lining has been put
to the bed, that the