40 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



not exceed three-quarters of an inch in thickness. A 

 similar tie is made at each string, passing always from 

 the centre to one side or the other. Handful after 

 handful of straw is added and sewn in the way 

 described, until a mat of the required length has been 

 made. The mat is then detached, and the strings at 

 each end are knotted up tightly to prevent un- 

 ravelling. Any ragged edges may be cut with shears 

 or scissors. 



Where an abundance of straw from rye or wheat 

 is obtainable cheaply, it might well be utilised for 

 making mats. The chief points to bear in mind are 

 to add the same quantity of straw each time and 

 keep it even and regular. 



To preserve the mats, they are immersed in a large 

 wooden bath or cement tank, in which a copper 

 sulphate solution has been prepared. This solution 

 is made by dissolving from 6 to 8 Ib. of sulphate of 

 copper in 22 gallons of water. When well saturated 

 with the solution, the mats may be taken out and 

 hung up to dry. 



FRAME " TILTS." This is the technical name given 

 to small blocks of wood, or sometimes brickbats or 

 flower-pots, used for propping up the 

 lights of the frames either at the top or 

 bottom, or on one side or the other. As 

 more air is given at one time than another 

 according to the season, the temperature, 

 FIG. 9. an( j the force of the wind, the tilts, as 

 used in frames, are usually made with 

 two or three notches so that much or little air can 

 be given at will as shown in fig. 9. The tilt may be 

 used in four different ways : (i) flat on the side, 



