VEGETABLE GABDENING 77 



outside frame may rest on the surface of the 

 ground. Bank up outside, to the top, all around, 

 and pack the soil firm. The pit should be ready 

 by March first, and may be used to harden off ex- 

 tra early cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, or other 

 half hardy plants, which are started in the incu- 

 bator or dwelling. These are usually ready to set 

 in the open ground before the pit is needed for 

 tomatoes, mangoes, and egg plant. 



Horse stable manure is packed firmly in the 

 bottom of the pit to a depth of about three inches. 

 Then place the baskets containing the plants on 

 this closely together. Work in compost between 

 the baskets wherever possible, and sprinkle enough 

 compost over the whole to conceal the baskets. 

 Water rather lightly with luke warm water. 

 They must not be watered too much or they will 

 "damp off." On sunny days give ventilation be- 

 tween ten A. M. and three P. M. by raising each 

 alternate sash about three inches at the upper 

 end. In case of frosts, cover the sash with blan- 

 kets or carpet. 



Plants grown in this manner should be ten to 

 fifteen inches high by the middle of May or a 

 few days earlier, when they may be set out on a 

 Sandwich Bed, or the open ground. If in the lat- 

 ter, the soil should be naturally fertile or made 

 so by the application of well rotted manure, a 

 shovelful to the hill, mixed with the soil after 

 plowing or spading. 



The rows should extend east and west, and be 

 at least five feet apart, with plants three or four 

 feet apart in the row. If the plants are to be 

 staked, they may be grown closer, say thirty 



