265 



THE COLD PIT. 



The Cold Pit is one of the most useful of all plant stmctures. A pit of 

 considerable length may be erected at little expense, and the number of 

 plants that may be kept in it during winter is almost unknown, and the 

 trouble attending them very little. This is also a plant structure that 

 almost every person who has a garden, ever so small, may indulge in. The 

 Cold Pit, as will be seen by referring to the annexed sketch, differs not 

 from pits in ordinary use. As the principal object in view is to keep out 

 frost, we would advise that the pit be formed of nine-inch brick-work, 

 both back and front ; and where the ground is sufficiently dry, that it be 

 as much under the surface as possible, but on no account sink it if danger 

 from damp be apprehended. The bottom, under all circumstances, should 



be upon a foundation of broken stones, brickbats, or coai'se gravel, to 

 admit of the free escape of superfluous moisture. The floor on wliich the 

 l)ots are to stand should be formed of coal ashes, which is the driest material 

 that can conveniently be obtained. The lights should be well glazed, the 

 squares small, and the laps puttied. The best covering to place over the 



