FRENCH GARDENING 385 



formed from the early importations. The cost of manure 

 on the place will be five to eight shillings per ton, ac- 

 cording to circumstances. 



Frames made on the French system are small and 

 handy. The " lights " are easy to move and made con- 

 venient for stacking when the frames are not in use. A 

 typical frame is thirteen feet long by four feet six inches 

 wide, nine inches deep at the back and seven inches at 

 the front, with two wood cross-bars for supporting three 

 lights four feet seven inches long by four feet four inches 

 wide. Painted with three coats and glazed with 2i-oz. 

 glass, the cost may be about 45. per foot run. The price 

 can be reduced by a shilling a foot by using lighter wood, 

 glazing with i6-oz. glass, and staining instead of paint- 

 ing. At an increased cost of about 50 per cent double 

 glazed lights, that is, lights made with sashes deep enough 

 to take two layers of glass, can be obtained. The air- 

 space between serves as a non-conductor, and prevents 

 the temperature falling during the colder hours of night 

 and early morning. 



It is scarcely necessary to point out that the outlay in 

 frames is possible of reduction if there is home labour 

 qualified to make them. The prices quoted above are 

 for bought frames and allow of a profit to the manu- 

 facturer. 



Cloches are another considerable item. They are in- 

 dispensable, and a large number are required, as they 

 are only about eighteen inches wide at the base. The 

 lowest price for cloches bought in quantity is a shilling 

 each, and it is wise to allow more in order to ensure 

 getting a good article, as cheap ones are apt to split. 

 Nicked or ridged props are required in order to be able 

 to tilt the cloches at various heights for the purpose of 

 ventilation ; these, however, are an inexpensive item, 



