d, observing to give a larger
quantity where the heat seems most to prevail. In general more water is
requisite at the back than the front: unless there is much heat in the
front from the middle of December until the middle of January, once in
five or six days will be sufficient to water the plants. Round the side
of the box, and at the back, however, should be watered every night,
while there is much heat. About two or three quarts of water at each
time to a light will be sufficient for the plants until the middle of
January and from that time more will be necessary. In applying the water
you must be guided in a great measure by the state of the weather. Take
the opportunity of watering when the sun is out, and then close them
down for about a quarter of an hour or more, according to the season of
the year. At all times, before watering, admit double the usual quantity
of air about a quarter of an hour previous to the application, for the
purpose of hardening the plants.

Water may be applied at any time of the day, if the heat is good, but
the most preferable time is certainly about eleven o'clock in the
morning, particularly as the season advances towards the months of April
and May, and the weather becomes more temperate, and the sun has greater
power. After they are watered, shut them down for about ten minutes or a
quarter of an hour, and let them have the benefit of a clear sun; then
shade them with a mat for two or three hours, and shut the frame close
down, in order that a moist sweet steam heat may be produced, which will
cause the fruit to swell very quick. At one or two o'clock take off the
mat and admit a little air. When the sun is clear and the weather hot,
let them be shaded from eleven to two o'clock; some evergreen boughs or
pea-sticks are very good things.

Should the above directions be found inconvenient to attend to, the
difficulty may be obviated by adopting the following method. After the
plants are watered in a morning, shut them down, for the space of about
ten minutes, then give them a little air; in about the same time
increase it, and so gradually until the proper quantity is admitted. The
gradual admission of air is extremely important, and ought, therefore,
to be particularly attended to.

The frames should never be shut down too long in the morning of the
spring and summer months; a little air should be given at eight o'clock,
if the weather is fine, in an hour it will be necessary to i