to operate it successfully, make it of 

 questionable value to the man with a 

 si^iall garden or to the beginner. 



Many city lot gardeners find the cold- 

 frame more satisfactory. While plants 

 cannot be secured quite so early as with 

 the hotbed, the cold-frame requires 

 less attention and there, is less danger 

 of injury to the plants because of 

 changing temperatures. It can be con- 

 structed without much expense by us- 

 ing storm sash. In addition to the 

 plants for setting out, such crops as 

 lettuce and radishes may be grown 

 in it. 



The backyard gardener will usually 

 find that starting the plants indoors 

 is the plan best adapted to his condi- 

 tions. Comparatively little space will 

 be required to start enough plants for 

 the first crop of lettuce, early cabbage 

 and tomatoes. 



Provide Good Soil. Where no provi- 

 sion was made last fall the question 

 of the soil will be the most trouble- 

 some. You may be able to secure it 

 from a greenhouse. If not, resort to 

 your own garden. Get the snow oft sl 

 small area so as to encourage thawing. 

 Some warm day in early March get 

 your soil. If it is still frozen get it 

 anyway, and let it thaw out indoors. 

 If possible, secure a little sand to mix 

 with it and to serve as a top layer in 

 the seed box. Before attempting to 

 start your seed box let the soil warm 

 up and dry until it does not pack in 

 a hard lump when squeezed in the 

 hand. 



(3) 



