CHAPTER XXI 

 HOT-BEDS AND COLD-FKAMES 



PLEASANT as is the work of gardening in flats in our win- 

 dows, we are sure to find the space rather small. The first 

 flat overflows into others; or we become ambitious, and 

 we desire more plants. But still, outdoors, winter lingers 

 in the frozen ground, and to grow plants there is impossible. 

 We know how the greenhouseman meets the problem, and 

 we have been trying to imitate him. Puzzling how we may 

 gain a little more room, we come to the idea of using window 

 sashes, or something like them, held up on frames outdoors, 

 to give us garden space. Under them the cold air cannot 

 well penetrate ; we can close them at night and open them 

 when the sun is warm, and the plants should thrive. 



The idea is a good one, and this device is used by many 

 people. One drawback is, however, that we cannot begin 

 to use frames until the frost is everywhere pretty well out 

 of the ground. For though by putting the frames and sash 

 on the frozen ground we can thaw it out directly below the 

 glass, the frost all around will keep the ground so cold that 

 seeds will scarcely sprout. And if we wait until the frost 

 is nearly gone, we are well behind the season of the green- 

 houseman, or even behind those who raise their plants in' 

 windows. How can we make the outdoor soil warm enough 

 for gardening in March, or even perhaps in February ? 



Rich folk do it by putting under the sash, in the soil, 

 pipes carrying hot water or steam. We shall do it another 



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