66 The Sweet Potato 



as to allow earlier planting is necessary even in tibe 

 region bordering the Gulf. The commercial growers 

 are particularly desirous of producing early plants 

 which bring the best prices, and in the lower South the 

 coldframe answers this purpose. The location of the 

 coldframe should be considered with the same care as 

 for an open bed; Plate II shows a location well 

 protected from cold winds by a natural forest wind- 

 breat. 



Although coldframes may be constructed entirely 

 above the ground or only partly so, the former method 

 is usually employed because of convenience and thor- 

 ough drainage which is afforded. (See Plate I.) Or- 

 dinarily a frame is made, using 14-inch boards on the 

 north or west side and 8- or 10-inch boards on the 

 south or east side, the ends being boxed up. The sides 

 of the frame are held rigidly in place by cleats which 

 are spaced at intervals of about 6 feet, the side boards 

 being nailed to these. Brace-strips of 1x4 or 2x4 

 material extend from one side to the other at every 

 place where the side boards are nailed to the cleats. If 

 the bed is below the ground surface, the frame should, 

 of course, be made to fit in the excavation. When built 

 above the ground, the frame is hereby nailed together 

 and set on the surface, being held rigidly ta the ground 

 by means of the cleats above mentioned which may be 

 extended into the soil. Further protection from cold 

 may be secured by banking dirt against tha north side 

 and the ends. The standard width for either a cold- 

 frame or hotbed is about 6 feet. The length will of 

 course be determined entirely by the quantity of po- 

 tatoes to be bedded. The coldframe is ordinarily cov- 

 ered with canvas (Plate I), although hotbed sash 



