342 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



prevent the plants near the outsides of the frames from being 

 chilled, and the gentle warmth of the bed will cause the roots 

 to begin to work at once. Following up the previous calcula- 

 tion for plants required for one acre, seven shallow three-light 

 box frames (described in detail on pages 69 to 73) will be needed 

 to accommodate them, with about 18 or 20 tons of manure for 

 the hot-bed. Having placed the frames on the bed, cover the 

 manure inside with lin. of soil and set the boxes on this. As 

 the frames are filled shut down the lights and shade for a few 

 days, then remove the shade and give a little air, gradually 

 increasing this until the lights are entirely removed on warm 

 bright days. The lights must be closed early and covered with 

 mats each night ; this precaution should be strictly observed, 

 as a sudden keen frost might destroy the plants when 

 the lights are left uncovered. In watering use tepid water, 

 and with judgment; the soil should be kept moist but never 

 sodden with wet the too-free use of the water-can is a great 

 cause of disease amongst young tomato plants. 



By the end of April the plants will be strong and sturdy and 

 will again need transplanting this time to 4in. apart each way. 

 But before this work is begun, suitable accommodation for the 

 plants should be provided. They still need efficient protection 

 from frost, but bottom heat may be omitted. The illustration on 

 the opposite page shows how the plants may be well and cheaply 

 protected, under conditions which ensure the hard, sturdy, 

 short-jointed growth which is so necessary to success. Some 

 expense must, of course, be incurred, but the cost (6 Is. 3d. per 

 9,700 plants) is very small in comparison with the space covered, 

 and the appliances will last for a number of years ; moreover, 

 they can be used for many other purposes, such, for instance, 

 as protecting early lettuces and radishes, and still be at liberty 

 for protecting the Tomato plants by the end of April. 



The method employed is similar to that of the cheaply con- 

 structed cold frames described and illustrated on pages 131 

 to 133, but with modifications; instead of lights and mats for 

 covering, ordinary wooden hurdles such as are used by farmers 

 for penning sheep are used, thatched with straw, and these 

 are laid on only at night, being removed entirely during the 

 daytime. " The frames are 12in. high in front, 18in. high at the 



