Devices for Forcing, Forwarding, and Protecting. 131 



transplanting to the open. By carefully observing these prin- 

 ciples even a beginner may expect a reasonable amount of 

 success, and experience will soon convert expectation into 

 comparative certainty. 



In some situations, where 

 the ground is well-drained 

 and there is no danger of the 

 manure getting water-logged 

 during a spell of wet weather, 

 it is preferable to make the 

 hot-bed in a pit instead of 

 upon the surface of the 

 ground. The pit is dug from 

 18in. to 2ft. deep and Gin. 

 cross-section of sunk Hot-bed. w jd er than the frame all 



round. The sides are boarded up with rough timber and a few 

 inches of rough material is placed on the bottom to keep the 

 manure from the cold earth. It is arranged in layers as pre- 

 viously described, and packed firmly as the work proceeds, 

 especially at the corners, which should receive extra attention, 

 but it should not be trampled until the heat has risen again. 

 A sunk hot-bed of this description, providing the site is dry, 

 will generally give a more lasting and steady heat than one 

 made entirely upon the surface. Where these sunk beds are 

 used, it is worth while taking pains over their construction, 

 as the same pits are available year after year. 



Cold Frames. The cold frame is in many respects similar 

 to a hot-bed, both as regards management and uses, except 

 that as there is no bottom heat it is not available for tender 

 subjects in the cold months of the year. It is much used for 

 carrying autumn-sown plants safely through the winter; for 

 protecting parsley, winter spinach, late endive, violets, and 

 similar subjects; for hardening off* partially hardened plants 

 which have been started early in hot-beds, and for raising 

 early plants from seed. It has a special value for use in 

 forwarding numerous standing crops such as strawberries, mint, 

 bulbs, &c., to early maturity. Peas, beans, radishes, carrots, 

 turnips, lettuces, potatoes, &c., can all be grown to perfection 



