THE COLD FRAME 129 



odd sizes, in case it may be desired to group the boxes in a hot-bed 

 or otherwise for heat and covering. Be sure that the bottom has 

 ample openings for drainage either cracks or bored holes. The 

 soil-layer in the boxes should not exceed three inches in depth. In 

 ordinary amateur practice a good soil for these boxes can be made 

 by taking good rich garden soil as a basis. Add sand and, if pos- 

 sible, the light mold from under an old straw stack, leaf mold, 

 finely powdered rotted manure, or something similar, until you have 

 a rich, friable soil. No definite rule can be given for mixing, except 

 that the prepared soil should hold moisture well, have no tendency 

 to cake, and never crack in the sun. 



Fill the boxes, and, with a small board, press the soil closely 

 and evenly, so that it will retain moisture. The seeds should then 

 be sown quickly and evenly over the surface or in lines, and pressed 

 down by a smooth board into the soil, so that the seed, be it large 

 or small, will form a level surface with the soil. This being done, 

 the same prepared soil should be sifted evenly over the top, just 

 enough to cover the seed. Again press this layer of soil which has 

 covered the seeds gently with the smooth board. 



It is a great help to the seed to have the surface again covered 

 with a light material that would hold moisture, such as dry moss, 

 or powdered vegetable matter of any kind which is light and will 

 hold moisture. This should be rubbed through the sieve over the 

 seed boxes, just thick enough to cover the soil (not more than one- 

 sixteenth of an inch). It is very beneficial in the germination of 

 the seed, as with such a top-dressing one watering with a fine rose 

 watering-pot will keep the soil moist enough usually until the seeds 

 come up. It is a great mistake to be continually watering such 

 after they have been sown. The rule in all these things is never to 

 water until the surface indicates that the soil is dry. 



A Cold Frame. The arrangement which comes next to the 

 seed box in simplicity is the cold frame. It is simply for the pur- 

 pose of concentrating sun heat and protection from low tempera- 

 tures and heavy rain storms. It is a convenient receptacle for the 

 seed boxes already described, or it may be put over seeds sown in 

 the ground the soil being prepared to receive the seed in about the 

 same way already described for filling the boxes. The frame is 

 made of inch boards, the front board about twelve inches wide, the 

 back board or boards eighteen inches wide and the sides sloping 

 from eighteen to twelve inches to meet the widths of the front and 



