February, 1912 
and about two thick. Place these close to- 
gether, grass down, and plant a “hill” on 
the surface of each, then covering with light 
rich soil. After all danger of frost has 
passed, set out in well-enriched hills. 
Besides starting plants to set outdoors, let- 
tuce, radishes, Swiss chard and other vege- 
tables can be had almost all the year round. 
Instead of letting the frame lie idle in the 
fall, about August 1 sow some “Grand 
Rapids” or “Hothouse” lettuce. Another 
small sowing should be made about Sep- 
tember 1. Transplant these later to the 
coldirame, using good rich soil, and cover 
at night only as freezing weather comes on. 
The plants should be put 6 inches to 8 
inches apart each way—the “head” varieties 
needing more room. A third lot may be 
put into the hotbed. And they may be 
sown again in a hotbed in January, for 
setting out in the coldframes later. Rad- 
ishes will grow rapidly in a temperature of 
only 40° to 45° at night, and can be sown 
between rows of lettuce, as they mature 
much sooner. 
THE CARE OF PLANTS IN FRAMES 
The most important rule for success with 
plants in frames is to give air whenever the 
outside temperature allows. When con- 
ditions permit, “strip” the sash off entirely. 
If it is too cold and stormy for that, raise 
one end, the amount of ventilation to be 
given depending upon the temperature. Ma- 
turing also must be attended to carefully. 
During late fall and early spring very little 
water will be needed—practically none. But 
as the days grow warm, great care must be 
taken not to let things get dried out, and in 
this connection a warning is given about 
leaving the sash on in later spring. A cold, 
Diagram oi a temporary hotbed above ground 
cloudy morning may clear off perfectly 
bright, and if the sash are on tight the tem- 
perature is likely to run up to 90° or 100°. 
The effect of this, if continued for two or 
three hours, will be serious or even disas- 
trous. 
A strict watch should be kept for insect 
enemies, but thorough ventilating and 
watering will keep them in check. Many 
other ways of getting good results and a 
great deal of pleasure will suggest them- 
selves to the happy owner of a few sash. 
They are by no means limited to the sug- 
gestions offered above, but these may help 
to put him on the right track. After all, 
it is the experimenting and discoveries 
which one may make himself that furnish 
the keenest delight in gardening. 
FROST FAIRS ON THE THAMES 
ONDON winters are more remarkable 
for dismal drizzling rain and impene- 
trable fog than for snow and ice; but about 
half a dozen times in the last three hundred 
years truly arctic conditions have prevailed 
in that metropolis, and the River Thames 
has been frozen over so firmly that men 
and horses could go upon it. Each of these 
periods has been the occasion of a “frost 
fair’; booths have been erected on the ice; 
printing presses set up, various sports and 
games indulged in; and the whole popula- 
tion has joined in celebrating the rare 
event. The first great frost fair of 
which there is historic record was held in 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
You Who Are Interested In Greenhouses 
Let Us Send You This Reason Booklet 
EFORE talking about the Reason Booklet 
itself, let us first ask you a question or two. 
When you buy anything of importance involy- 
ing the expenditure of several hundreds or 
thousands of dollars, do you rely entirely on 
your own individual information, and go night 
out and buy it? Of course you don’t. 
In making your final decision, are you not 
strongly influenced by the opinion of some one 
who has already bought—and is satisfied ? 
Doesn’t the fact that this or that person, com- 
pany or institution of prominence has put their 
stamp of approval on it, by putting their money 
into it, carry a good deal of weight with you? 
This being so, then naturally enough you 
will buy a greenhouse much the same way. 
Suppose, for instance, you want to know 
thoroughly about the U-Bar Greenhouses, and 
have been wondenng if there are any houses in 
your vicinity you could see; wouldn't a booklet 
giving you the names of all U-Bar owners and 
the character and extent of the greenhouse they 
own, be of interest and assistance to you? 
Let us suppose still further, that you want to 
confirm your decision to buy a U-Bar house by 
seeing who some of the others are who arrived 
at the same decision and built; wouldn’t a 
booklet grouping such names in a readily get- 
at-able way be just the thing you want ? 
That's why we made just such a booklet. 
It’s called “ Reasons.” 
The Reasons themselves are told in 93 words, 
right at the start—the rest is given over to a unique 
and interesting arrangement of the locations and 
owners of U-Bar houses built in the last | 0 years. 
Send for this Booklet. With it we will mail you 
our catalog and a section of the U-Bar itself— 
so you can see exactly what the U-Bar is. 
U-BAR GREENHOUSES 
PIERSON 
U-BAR COMPANY 
One Madison Avenue, New York 
Canadian Office, 10 Phillips Place, Montreal 
HE truth of this famous “slogan” i 
Burpee’s Seeds Grow! 
’ 
s attested by thousands of the most 
progressive planters throughout the world,—who rely year after year upon 
Burpee’s Seeds as The Best Seeds That Can Be Grown! 
If you are willing 
to pay a fair price for Quality-Seeds, we shall be pleased to mail, without cost, a 
copy of Burpee’s Annual for 1912. Long 
knownas “The Leading American Seed 
Catalog” this Bright New Book of 178 pages tells the plain truth andisa safe guide 
to success in the garden. Do you want it? 
W. ATLEE BURPEE 
If so, write to-day! Address 
& CO., Philadelphia. 
xill 
