COLD-FRAMES OR COLD-BEDS. 23 



of soil here has a good effect. Cabbage, cauliflower, and 

 lettuce plants are preserved in cold-beds, which renders 

 them hardy and capable of being transplanted very early 

 in the spring, and to be harvested in time to allow a sec- 

 ond crop to be grown on the same ground. 



The seeds should be sown about the middle of Septem- 

 ber, and to make a sure thing it is best to sow on the 

 tenth and again on the twentieth of the month, each 

 time using more seed than sufficient to produce the re- 

 quisite number of plants. I might here add that cabbage 

 and cauliflower seed will give about three thousand and 

 lettuce-seed six thousand plants to an ounce. 



Select a piece of good soil ; plow or spade to a depth 

 of eight inches ; make the surface fine and even by thor- 

 ough raking ; spread the seed thin over the entire surface, 

 and cover by raking in or sprinkling fine soil over the 

 whole to a depth of one half an inch, slightly pressing 

 with the back of the spade, and if the earth is dry 

 sprinkle with water in the evening. As soon as the 

 plants have formed the second leaves, or become large 

 enough to handle conveniently, they should be trans- 

 planted into the cold-frame, the soil being prepared as 

 above directed, and it will be found advisable to prepare 

 the bed just immediately preceding the transplanting, 

 the soil then possessing a natural moisture, which is a 

 condition far preferable to that presented when the sur- 

 face has become dry, and one which can not be obtained 

 by artificial watering. 



It is very important here, as in all transplanting, that 

 the earth be firmly pressed against the root. Cabbage 

 and cauliflower must be set down to the first leaves, or 

 as deep as possible without covering the hearts. By doing 

 this, the stalk is more thoroughly protected, and in case 

 the plants become severely frozen, the frost will draw out 

 through the earth, and they will not be injured as when 

 exposed directly to the sun and air. 



