STARTING THE GARDEA^ IN THE HOUSE. 31 



little patience and the right hand's turn of work at 

 the right moment. 



Among other notions for forwarding early plants 

 is a plant-hood or folding-tent to put over small 

 plants. The device received the name of The Ameri- 

 can Garden Cosey, and as it may also prove useful to 

 others, a few directions for making one or more may 

 be given. 



The materials of the cosey are protective cloth, 

 common laths or other light wooden sticks, and com- 

 mon carpet tacks and any stout twine or small cord. 

 The first one made by the inventor was made out of 

 four laths and 67 inches of a heavy grade of the cloth. 

 Spread open on the ground to cover plants it pro- 

 tected a space 4 feet long and 14 inches wide, giving 

 ample room for a mature lettuce plant or strawberry 

 plant in bearing, or any young plant not over 18 

 inches high. When shut up it could be put in a space 

 4 feet long, 18 inches high and i y^ inches wide. A 

 dozen would be a light load for one hand. 



To make a single cosey for protecting a few plants, 

 cut a piece 19 inches long 

 and from this cut two tri- 

 angular pieces, each 17 

 inches wide at the bottom. 

 There will also be material 

 for one more in case another 

 cosey is made. The dotted lines in Figure i show 

 how the cloth is cut, the fabric being 36 inches wide. 



These two pieces will make the end pieces. To 

 make the cover, cut a piece of the cloth i '/g yards 

 long. For the frame, use four good straight laths. 

 Place them in pairs and join each set with a crossbar 

 at the end, 18 inches long. Nail firmly at the corners 

 and put in a short brace at two corners to keep the 

 frame in shape. Figure 2 shows one of these frames. 



