Coldframes 



67 



opposite spools are then brought up and a hard knot 

 is tied at each point. The projecting butts of the 

 straw are then cut of£ with a hatchet, and the mat is 

 allowed to drop through to receive the next pair of 

 wisps. In making these mats, it is essential that the 

 rye contains no ripe grain ; otherwise it attracts the 

 mice. It is best to grow rye for this especial purpose, 

 and to cut it before the grain is in the milk, so that 

 the straw does not need to be threshed. 



In addition to these coverings of straw or matting, 

 it is sometimes necessary to provide board shutters to 

 protect the beds, particularly if the plants are started 

 very early. These shutters are made of half-inch or 

 five -eighths inch pine lumber, and are the same size 

 as the sash — 3x6 feet. They are used above the 

 matting to keep it dry and to prevent it from blowing 

 off. In some cases they are used without matting. 



4. COLDFRAMES AND FORCING -HILLS 



A coldframe has no bottom heat, except that which 

 it receives from the sun : otherwise it is like a hot- 

 bed. There are three general purposes for which a 

 coldframe is used : (1) for the starting of plants early 

 in spring ; (2) for receiving partially hardened plants 

 which have been started earlier in hotbeds and forcing - 

 houses ; (3) for wintering young cabbages, lettuce and 

 other hardy plants which are sown in the fall. 



Coldframes are ordinarily placed near the buildings, 

 and the plants are transplanted into the field when 

 settled weather comes. Sometimes, however, they are 



