38 BULLETIN 419, V. S. DEPAK) .V.r.XT OF A.QRICULTUEE. 



at 8-foot intervals on both sides of the beds and 2 by 4's are laid on 

 and nailed to these uprights. This makes a line of stringers along 

 eadh side of the bed extending its entire length. Strips of slat or 

 lath fencing are rolled out over these stringers to furnish shade. The 

 slatting can be handled by one man and can be quickly rolled up if 

 cloudy weather makes this desirable; the stakes and stringers can 

 easily be moved when it is necessary to plow or grade; and the slat- 

 ting is high enough above the ground so that weeding can be con- 

 ducted without removing it. One man can construct about 400 linear 

 feet of this type of frame per day. 



The posts and framework of the high frames occupy the ground 

 constantly (PI. VIII). Durable first-class posts about 10 feet long 

 are set in the ground in check rows from 10 to 12 feet apart, so 

 that their tops are about 7 feet above the ground. Two sets of girders 

 of rather heavy material (2 b}' 6's are preferable to 2 bj^ 4's, as 

 the latter are likely to buckle) at right angles to each other connect 

 the tops of the posts. Over this framework rolls of slatting can be 

 drawn. The framework must be substantially constructed because 

 it is subject to considerable strain when the slatting is drawn across 

 it and because the necessity often arises of a man working on top 

 of it. The rolls of slatting are usually long enough to stretch entirely 

 across the frame and down to the ground on each side so as to afford 

 side shade and also to act as a windbreak. They remain in place 

 from spring until autumn, thus subjecting the plants to half shade 

 during the whole of the season. At the Pilgrim Creek Nursery 

 4 by 6 feet frameworks of slatting are used instead of the roll 

 slatting. These are easier to handle, but are more easily broken. 



The high frames have some advantages over the low ones. They 

 do not interfere with weeding, cultivation, or watering^ so that an 

 inspection of these operations can more easily be made. The working 

 conditions beneath them are more pleasant during extremely hot 

 weather than in the open. The light is more diffused than under 

 low frames, which is desirable in especially hot regions or when the 

 species grown are susceptible to injury from the sun's rays. Under 

 them the paths are kept moist as well as the beds; there is less 

 danger of the stock being harmed by unseasonable frosts; the soil 

 seems less liable to bake and crust than under low frames; and 

 since the slatting remains on during the entire growing season, less 

 watering is needed than with low frames, which are often removed. 

 Their cost of construction of 2-1 to 3| cents per square foot is much 

 less than that of the low wire protection and shade frames, and their 

 life is considerably longer. 



Objections to the high frames are numerous. They do not give 

 adequate protection against birds and rodents. Two or more men 



