152 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



tinder cover where it will not be in a frozen condition 

 when wanted for use. 



212. Flats and plant boxes. Flats are often used in 

 greenhouses, and they are practically indispensable when 

 starting plants in hotbeds and cold frames. Notwith- 

 standing this, many gardeners do not use them exten- 

 sively, for they have not learned their advantages, which 

 may be enumerated as follows: (i) They make it possi- 

 ble to do all the work of seed sowing and transplanting 

 in warm, comfortable rooms provided with tables or 

 benches of convenient height. Because of these comforts 

 and conveniences, more work can be accomplished in a 

 day, especially if the weather is cold or disagreeable, and 

 it will be done better than when the worker must stoop 

 over frames. (2) Sowing or transplanting may be con- 

 tinued whatever the character of the weather. When 

 transplanting in severe weather, the box of plants should 

 be protected by a cloth or a box when carried to the 

 work room. So should the plat of transplanted seedlings 

 when taken to the cold frame. (3) Many growers claim 

 that they can grow better plants in flats, because moisture 

 conditions are more perfectly controlled. (4) Each flat 

 contains a uniform number of plants, and this is a great 

 advantage when making sales. (5) In shipping, the flats 

 of plants may be crated, if this is desired, and they will 

 reach their destination in perfect condition. (6) When 

 planting in the field the flats may be hauled and dis- 

 tributed over the field at convenient intervals. (7) The 

 plants may be pulled with a large amount of soil, as 

 shown in Figure 38. Some gardeners go to the trouble 

 of cutting out each plant with a block of soil or of 

 compost. 



Flats may be made from soap boxes or other boxes of 

 convenient size. This is doubtless the most economical 

 plan, but there are objections to it. The lumber in a 

 miscellaneous lot of boxes is variable in quality and dura- 



