76 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



Mats. Where frames and cloches are used the mat is indis- 

 pensable, particularly during cold weather. When there is any 

 fear of frost these appliances must be covered up closely every 

 night, and sometimes also in the daytime if the weather is very 

 severe. Later in the season, when the sun gets powerful, mats 

 are useful to give shade for a few hours in the middle of the 

 day to seedlings and newly-set plants in frames to save them 

 from scorching. Useful mats of various kinds can be bought 

 at very moderate prices, but it is strongly recommended that 

 the gardener of limited means should make his own. When 

 made at home they cost considerably less, they can be made to 

 any size or thickness required, and a useful occupation is found 

 for slack times in winter when work on the land is impossible. 

 For a very moderate outlay a number of good warm mats can 

 be accumulated which will be found of incalculable service for 

 numerous protective purposes. Mats may be made of any 

 material which is cheap, convenient to use, and affords efficient 

 protection. Straw answers to this description ; any kind will 

 do, but rye straw is much the best, as it tougher, more flexible, 

 and more durable than any other. 



Whenever possible hand-threshed straw should be used, as 

 that which is threshed by machine is badly broken, but at the 

 outset this will probably be the only sort obtainable. Where 

 there is ground to spare or arrangements can be made with a 

 neighbouring farmer it is a good plan to grow a patch of rye 

 for the especial purpose of mat-making. It should be cut 

 before the grain is formed, so that it does not require threshing ; 

 whatever straw is used it is much the best when gathered in 

 this way as it then lies perfectly straight and unbroken and no 

 grain is left in the ear as an attraction for mice. 



Mat Frame. The only appliance it is necessary to have is a 

 mat frame. Several different contrivances are used for this pur- 

 pose but the one depicted on the following page is as good as 

 any and is quite simple, both to make and to use. It is made of 

 four pieces of wood, Sin. broad and lin. thick. The size of the 

 mats to be made regulates the dimensions of the frame ; for the 

 purpose in view a frame 5ft. 6in. long and 4ft. Gin. broad will be 

 required* Along the middle of the top and bottom boards five 

 stout nails must be driven at lOin. apart, leaving them projecting 



