COLD FRAMES. WINTER PROTECTION. 71 



CHAPTER XIV. 

 COLD FRAMES. WINTER PROTECTION. 



Many of the plants used for the decoration of the flower 

 borders in summer, may be kept through the winter in 

 what are termed cold frames, or sunken pits. These are 

 formed by excavating the earth about two feet deep and 

 of a width to suit the usual six-foot sash, and of such 

 length as may be required. The sides of the pit are 

 boarded up, on the front or south side, to a height of 

 eight or ten inches, and at the back or north side, some 

 six inches higher, to give the necessary slope to carry off 

 the water from the sashes and to better catch the sun's 

 rays. Thus formed, the frame will measure about three 

 feet deep from the sash in front and about three feet and 

 one-half at the back. Or, if the work is desired to be 

 permanent, the sides may be built of brick instead of 

 boards. 



Above all other considerations, the place where the pit 

 is built must be free from standing water, and if not nat- 

 urally dry, must be so drained as to carry off the water. 

 A good plan is to cement the bottom of these pits, which 

 tends greatly to keep the bottom dry. We adopt this plan 

 in all our sunken pits, having the bottom so formed that 

 all water is carried off from the front or lower side. 

 Whenever practicable, the situation should be warm and 

 well sheltered, as such a position will save a great deal in 

 winter covering. In such a pit, tender Roses can be kept 

 in the best possible condition, better, in our opinion, than 

 in any greenhouse. If kept in pots (which is the best 

 way to keep them), the pots should be plunged to the rim 

 in sawdust, leaves, tan-bark, or some such light material. 

 Besides Roses, the plants embraced in the following list 

 may be wintered over with safety in this latitude, pro- 



