86 



HOTBEDS, COLDFRAMES, AND FLOWER PITS 



at the corners and the cloth or glass is placed over the bed. It 

 is not desired to have very much heat but the frames may be 

 merely to protect the plant from the frosts or other extreme ocld 

 at night. 



Uses of Coldframes in the North. — In the colder latitudes one 

 use of the coldframe is to harden off plants which have been forced 

 in the hotbed. Another use is to protect early spring crops which 

 mature in short time, such as lettuce, radish, spinach, carrots, and 

 others. As these plants are hardy and can endure some frost the 



Fig. 60. — Cabbage and cauliflower plants may be grown in coldframes in winter for early 

 spring setting. (Kentucky Station.) 



frame merely serves as a protection from snow and cold blasting 

 winds which would check the growth somewhat. 



In the northern latitudes, coldframes are usually covered with 

 glass so they will catch considerable heat from the sun. 



Extensive Use of Coldframes in Southern States. — Besides 

 the uses of coldframes mentioned for northern latitudes, another 

 very extensive use is in the growing of rather hardy vegetables 

 during the fall and winter season. In the Gulf States the weather 

 may be mild enough to grow certain crops almost to maturity out 

 of doors in the fall. Only a little protection is needed and the cold- 

 frame will serve this purpose. 



