COLDFRAMES 41 



dow can be raised a little while every day, care being 

 taken that there is no direct wind across the flats, 

 it will help materially until such time as the sash 

 can be raised most of the day. The boxes must not be 

 allowed to dry out, as the earth is very shallow in 

 these little receptacles, nor must it be kept too wet 

 or soggy; just a mellow, moist, growing condition 

 must be maintained. Other treatment and require- 

 ments are the same as in hotbed culture. 



Sowing seed in the open ground is usually a very 

 satisfactory way of dealing with those plants which 

 do not require an early start. Nearly all annuals 

 may be started outdoors, but should be planted deeper 

 than in a flat or hotbed and the earth firmed well 

 above them. If the season is that of the early spring 

 rains, there will be no need of protection but should 

 the season be dry it will be best to give protection of 

 a little lawn clipping, or a little brush to prevent too 

 much drying of the soil. This should be removed 

 after the sun has left the bed in order that it may 

 have the benefit of the night dew. After the plants 

 are up no shade will, usually, be needed unless the 

 position is very arid and exposed. Frequent watering 

 with a fine sprinkler will be needed if the season is 

 dry and as soon as the plants are large enough to 

 handle it will be necessary to thin considerably, espe- 

 cially if they are to remain where planted — as is true 

 in the case of annual poppies. These should be thin- 



