56 GARDEN FARMING 



standard hotbed sash ; that is, six feet apart and any multiple of three 

 feet in length. The crop to be protected should be planted in the 

 open in such a way that when cold weather approaches, the boards 

 may be put in place and the area covered with sash. If the crop is to 

 be grown in the spring instead of in the autumn, seed is not planted 

 until the side boards are arranged and the sash is ready to be put 

 in place. If cucumbers or beets are planted, both the sash and the 

 boards are removed as soon as all danger from frost has passed, so 

 as to give the crop the entire use of the area, as shown in figure 13. 



FIG. 13. Early beets after the frames have been removed 



Muslin frames. Muslin frames have the same general style of 

 construction as that described above, except that the side boards 

 are arranged from fourteen to fifteen feet apart, and the inclosed 

 area is protected by the use of muslin instead of glazed sash. Such 

 frames can be used only where the frosts are light and where the 

 main object is to protect the crop from injury by storms, wind, 

 and frost. In certain sections this method of protection is exten- 

 sively employed. Muslin frames combined with adequate means 

 for irrigation form a most satisfactory crop insurance in several of 

 the vegetable-growing areas of the South. 



