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LIII. Description of a Method of protecting Cauliflower, 

 and other tender Plants, during Winter. In a Letter to the 

 Secretary. By Mr. James Drummond, C. M.H. S. 



Read May 20, 1823. 



Sir, 



M y success for several years past in protecting Cauliflower 

 plants, in ear them pits, from frost and snow, during winter, 

 by means of wooden frames covered permanently with straw, 

 induces me to send an account of the plan to the Horticul- 

 tural Society. 



My pits are mostly made in a south and east border, in 

 an inclosure, or yard which I have for hot beds, composts, 

 &c. the fences of which afford good shelter from the cold 

 quarters. To form the pits I first make the ground as level 

 as I can, and as firm as possible, by trampling in wet wea- 

 ther, I then cut them out ten feet in length by four in 

 breadth, making the sides and ends as firm as possible by 

 beating the soil when wet with the spade. The depth of the 

 pit is according to the description of plants to be kept in 

 them. Nine inches is sufficient for Cauliflower plants, and 

 for these care must be taken that a sufficient quantity of 

 proper soil is left, or placed, in the bottom of the pit in which 

 they are to be pricked out. Each pit of the above dimen- 

 sions holds about four hundred Cauliflower plants. For 

 plants in pots the depth of the pits must be proportioned 

 to the height of the plants, the tops of which must, when 



