DREER’S VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS. 15 
indeed, have ever fully developed the possibilities of pleasure 
and profit possessed by an ordinary, glass-covered cold frame. 
AVAILABLE Crops. The cold frame is adapted to quite 
a long list of hardy or half-hardy things, as will be hereafter 
discussed in more or less detail. Of the twenty-four ‘‘crops’’ 
mentioned in this book all except seven are distinctly suited 
to cold-frame culture, and all of the exceptions (omitting 
mushrooms) may be started in the frames in the spring of 
the year, and hastened on their way toward maturity by the 
kindly influence of the glass. 
REQUISITES AND HELpPs. In addition to the sash and 
the frame upon which it rests there are several requisites for 
success in cold frame operations. The soil of the bed must 
be of the right character; rich, easily worked and well 
drained. Rotted sod is the best known basis for such a soil, 
and a big heap of sod ought, therefore, to be kept always on 
hand in a convenient place. Properly stacked up and made 
compact, such a heap will slowly decompose into soil of ideal 
fineness and quality. The heap ought to be once turned 
(a few months after it is made). It will need no further 
attention until wanted for use in the frames or for hot beds. 
The culturist need never be afraid of too much manure, 
provided it is well prepared ; that is, stacked, heated, turned 
and rotted down into a short, fine, sweet condition. In 
theory it is a loss to permit the ammonia of fermenting 
manure to escape into the air, but in practice it pays hand- 
somely to have manure that is at once available for plant 
food. It is better to lose a little ammonia than a great deal 
of precious time; and it is well to remember that rotted 
manure is the best plant food known to the market gardeners, 
whose profits depend upon quickly grown crops. 
WinpD BREAKS. The gardener must not neglect to pro- 
vide a wind break. ‘The owner of a small lot of sashes can 
