HOTBEDS AND COLD FRAMES. 93 



used in hotbeds and intermediate beds are not needed in 

 cold frames, which are intended to be kejDt in a dormant 

 state ; therefore no warmth is necessary, and no glass is 

 needed except in extremely cold weather. Sometimes 

 the plants are started in the frame in the early autumn, 

 other times they are taken from other localities and dib- 

 bled in, or laid in or bedded very closely, the aim being 

 to suspend or retard growth. Plants in cold frames, 

 when frozen, must not be exposed to the sun, but on 

 mild days plenty of air should be given to keep them 

 sound and healthy. 



Plant Pit. — A pit for plants is used for housing or 

 protecting during winter half hardy plants, many of 

 which, in a well constructed pit, blossom during winter 

 and will all be well advanced in spring. In general 

 principles a plant pit is similar to a cold frame bed, 

 made more durable, and also set deeper in the earth. 



To construct a cheap plant pit, select a dry location 

 and mark off the length desired, and of width equal to 

 the length of sashes used. As the contents of a cold 

 pit are intended to stand from autumn to spring it, 

 should be placed on land not likely to be flooded by 

 rain, melting snow or back water. Plant pits may be 

 for permanent or temporary use, and of either brick or 

 wood. If of wood, a solid frame may be used, made by 

 setting or driving posts in two parallel lines, the back 

 line twenty inches higher than the front ; or dig out the 

 earth to a depth of two feet and set square sided posts at 

 the corners, and along the sides to which nail on boards, 

 making a box without a bottom or top within the exca- 

 vation. The posts on the back should be three and one- 

 half feet long. On top of the frame place six covered 

 bars, at proper intervals, for the sash to slide upon the 

 ends of the bars mortised into the back and front boards 

 of the frame. Pack the earth tightly in the cracks 

 beneath the surface around the outside of the box, and 



