92 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



In sowing the bed let the more tender plants, as egg- 

 plants, peppers, etc., be sown under the same sash, and 

 separated by a thin plank partition under the cross-bar 

 from the rest of the frame. The finer and more delicate 

 seeds will require the sash above them to be shaded until 

 the plants appear, or each pot may be separately covered 

 until the seeds are up. At night, if cold, cover the bed 

 with plank shutters, old carpets, or mats. Gradually, as 

 the plants grow strong, accustom them to the air as the 

 season grows mild. This can be done by opening the 

 frames entirely during the day, and leaving them exposed 

 daring mild nights, or by transferring them to the cold- 

 frame. 



Cold Frames are made just like those for the hot-bed, 

 only the box need not be over fifteen inches high at the 

 back, and are excellent for wintering nearly hardy plants 

 of all kinds, and also for forwarding the more hardy 

 plants, as hardy annuals, cabbage, lettuce, etc. Indeed, 

 they are quite as indispensable as the hot-bed, and less 

 expensive, as they require no manure, but rest directly on 

 the soil. The}^ are also of great service in hardening off 

 hot-bed stock, which should be transferred to them before 

 it is set out in the open ground. In very severe weather, 

 the heat may be kept in by earthing up the sides and 

 covering the sash with mats during the night. Air should 

 always be given when the weather will admit, or the 

 plants will grow up yellow and spindling. In managing 

 frames, the secret of success is to give plenty of air. 

 Plants raised in cold frames are generally more hardy 

 and desirable than those from a hot-bed, unless the latter 

 are repotted early, and when re-established, transferred 

 to the cold frame, to harden them. A cold frame or pit 

 covered with tiffany (a prepared thin cotton (doth) is even 

 better than one covered with glass, for the purpose of 

 hardening off young stock. 



