198 How to Make a Flower Garden 



One wishes a pit to be a permanent structure, and rock and brick 

 are therefore much used for the wahs, but such wahs are not altogether 

 satisfactory. I have mine wahed with planks of three-inch thickness, and, 

 with the exception of one top plank, the lining is as good as when put in, a 

 dozen years ago. 



For the benefit of those who intend to have a pit, I will give dimensions, 

 so that some idea of cost can be formed. Length, twelve feet; breadth, 

 eight feet; height of north end, seven feet; of south end, four and one-half 

 feet. This gives a slope of two and a half feet, which is sufficient to shed 

 water, and permits the sun's rays to penetrate without obstruction. Twenty- 

 five planks were used for the walls, and nine for the benches. Back 

 under the other benches, about two feet from the floor, I had two long 

 benches placed for storing away the boxes of summer-flowering bulbs and 

 dormant plants. 



The lumber used consisted of oak planks about fifteen inches wide and 

 three thick, with four strips eight by two inches for outside finish. A pit of 

 this size will hold a goodly number of pots, but, as it is necessary to economise 

 space in the early spring, I have small shelves placed in the east and west 

 corners, about one foot and a half from the top, for bulb- and seed-boxes. 



The cost of a pit is small. The digging, carpenter's work, and banking 

 and lumber would have to be counted as the main expense. The cost of 

 sash would be trivial, but cheap glass is quite expensive in the end. In 

 placing benches, put them low enough to prevent the plants from touch- 

 ing glass, as the hot sunshine will scorch foliage. In banking earth 

 around the pit, it must be securely packed against the plank, so there will 

 be no airholes for frost to enter. 



V. Violets in Coldframes 



By Sarah Hopkins 



One is often told that it is not practical to raise violets in New England 

 in coldframes, but from experience I can affirm the contrary. I bought 

 six ready-made coldframes, and they are so well made and of such excellent 

 material that they can withstand the coldest of weather. It is best to be 

 on the safe side, however, and in severe weather straw matting should be 

 placed on the glass, and then boards. The mats can be made at home with 



