158 



VEGETABLE GARDENING 



rising, and in verj' cold weather it maj^ be best not to 

 remove the mats at all from cold frames for a few days 

 or even as long- as a week in extreme cases. In March 

 there ma)' be heavy falls of snow with zero weather for 

 manv days, with little or no sunshine. Under such condi- 

 tions it is better not to remove mats. While the plants 

 do not grow when thus excluded from the light, they 

 will not be injured by close confinement at low temper- 

 atures. 



FIG. 42. FRAME OF HARDENED CABBAGE PLANTS 



The durability of straw mats depends largely upon 

 care. When deep snow covers the mats, it should be 

 shoveled off before an attempt is made to remove them. 

 ^^'hen they are wet or covered with an inch or two of 

 snow, the best way to remove them is to walk along the 

 lower side of the frame, grasp the mats at the cords and 

 double them over as far as possible toward the other 

 side. Then go to the upper side of the frame and draw 



