406 Mr. J. Drunmiojid on protecting Caulijlotsccr Sf other Plants. 



The frames are always kept under shelter in summer, be- 

 ing perfectly dried before they are put up, and with proper 

 care will last for several years. 



When the plants are put into the pits, the frames are laid 

 over them. JNIy method of giving air is by placing in tlie 

 ground, near the centre of each pit, a forked stick about four 

 feet or moi-e in length, strong enough to suj)port the frames 

 when raised like tlie lid of a box, to a sufficient height, and 

 they remain in that position night and day, unless when 

 actual freezing takes place, or when frqst is expected in the 

 night. 



I am far from thinking that these straw frames will bear a 

 comparison with glass for neatness of appearance ; but they 

 have other advantages besides their cheapness: when they 

 are raised, the plants in the pits have the full advantage of 

 air and sun, and are but little exposed to wet, the rain being 

 mostly thrown oft" on the back of the frames ; and w hen they 

 are shut down, frost cannot easily penetrate through them to 

 the plants. 



It is well known that it is necessary to have mats and other 

 sorts of coverings over glass in severe weather, the removing 

 of which to give air in the middle of the day, and replacing 

 at night, is attended with much trouble ; whereas the opening 

 and sluitting of the straw frames is but the work of a moment. 



I have principally used these pits and frames for the pro- 

 tection of Alpine and other plants usually kept under glass 

 without fire heat ; but in cases of necessity tender green-house 

 plants may be preserved through the winter in them, as I ex- 

 perienced last season. I had many Geraniums and other ten- 

 der plants which I could not find room for in the glass houses. 

 By way of experiment I placed them in these pits; and 

 although, from the unusual severity of the winter, I was obliged 

 to keep down the frames night and day for a fortnight to- 

 gether, and cover them with additional straw to exclude the 

 severe frost, the only plants that suffered were a few of the 

 downy-leaved Geranimns, and even those, on being planted 

 afterwards in the ground, shot out vigorously in tiie spring at 

 every joint. I have often tried to keep Geraniums in hot-bed 

 frames through the winter, but could never succeed, if the 

 weather was severe. 



I am, &c. 



Botanic Garden, Co-k, JaM£S DrUMMOND. 



May 12, 1823. 



LXXXV. Ob- 



