166 THE BEGINNER'S GARDEN BOOK 



materials have to be bought, the expense is very light. If 

 boxes are used, the cheesecloth is simply tacked across the 

 open top. 



Cheesecloth frames, if we make them, can scarcely be 

 used for hot-beds. The cloth is not so good as glass for 

 keeping out the cold or letting in the sun; and in time of 



FIG. 87. This small frame, with cheesecloth tacked 

 over it, is excellent for forcing melons or protecting cab- 

 bage from the maggot-fly. 



heavy frosts glass is far the best. But after frosts have gone 

 it is surprising how effective cheesecloth is. 



Indeed, at this time of year cheesecloth is in some ways 

 better than glass. To begin with, the cloth lets the air 

 through, so that the frames can be left without ventilation 

 at all. Even in a hot spell the cloth tempers the sun so that 

 the plants are not burned. Again, the cloth keeps out insects 

 that may do harm, while on the other hand it lets the rain 

 strike gently in. 



Thus in the Connecticut valley is grown some of the best 



