VEGETABLE GABDENING 31 



ons, etc. By use of the Plant Incubator and pots, 

 paper bands or old strawberry baskets for indi- 

 vidual plants, there can be a decided gain in the 

 time required to get the plants ready for setting 

 out in the open ground. But cold nights and 

 cold winds, especially in cloudy weather, prevent 

 anything like satisfactory growth after the plants 

 are placed out of doors. The use of boosters at 

 this time will be found a great help, as they pro- 

 tect the tender plants from cold winds and even 

 from frosts, as the soil around the roots of the 

 plants within the booster is several degrees 

 warmer than that outside. By raking up the soil 

 around the booster, additional protection is given. 

 If hard frosts threaten, cover the plant, booster 

 and all, with double thickness of newspaper, held 

 down by dirt, the top of the paper held tight to- 

 gether with small nails or pins. 



Protected in this manner, plants will not suffer 

 even if the temperature goes down several degrees 

 below freezing. Early sugar corn, tomatoes, cu- 

 cumbers, muskmelons, very early cabbage and egg 

 plant are greatly advanced by this means. Even 

 Lima beans and watermelons may be advanced 

 ten days by the use of the boosters. 



The boosters are made of Flintkote or similar 

 roofing. Two-ply will answer, though it will be 

 found advantageous in the long run to use the 

 heavier grade. This material does not warp or 

 rot. It has stood the test for four seasons and 

 looks as though it would last for four years more. 

 When the season is over, the sheets may be un- 

 hooked, spread out flat, and stored in a small 



