SASH-BED CONSTRUCTION 27 



age may be easily constructed by excavating 

 a pit similar to a hotbed pit, but deeper, 

 so that the bottom will be well below the 

 frost line. This must be well drained and 

 lined with a brick or concrete wall, which 

 should extend a few inches above the natural 

 ground level to prevent water running in at 

 the top, but is banked at the top with soil or 

 manure. The pit may then be covered with 

 sash and protected with mats and shutters 

 described in a succeeding paragraph. 



In cold climates the pit is at least 5 feet 

 deep. In very severe climates a mulch of 

 manure 6 inches deep placed for a distance 

 of 4 or 5 feet around the pit before the ground 

 freezes, will effectually protect it. As the 

 normal winter temperature of the soil be- 

 low the frost line is considerably above freez- 

 ing, coldpits furnish excellent storage for 

 gladiola, dahlia and similar plants, and also 

 for bulbs for winter forcing. A row of stor- 

 age pits and coldframes along the south side 

 of a greenhouse is of great convenience. 

 The house must be provided with a gutter, or 

 the frames set a foot or more away from the 

 side of the house to guard against breakage 



