THE HOTBED AND THE COLDFRAME 



germination nor plants into premature growth, but 

 only to provide protection from cold and wind for 

 plants already growing — therefore it does not, of 

 course, need heating. 



The coldframe is a frame made exactly like the 

 hotbed frame; but it is set on top of the ground instead 

 of being sunk into it. It has the same protective 

 sash as covering, and may be banked up a little on 

 the outside with earth, to shut out water. Its useful- 

 ness makes it second only to the hotbed as a bit of 

 garden equipment — ^indeed it supplements the work of 

 the hotbed besides doing its own particular work, for 

 it receives into its shelter the plants thinned out from 

 the hotbed — ^plants that would otherwise be lost. 

 Here they stay until the outdoors is warm enough 

 to receive them. 



Proof against cold the coldframe must be; this 

 quality is its only excuse for being. Therefore it must 

 be well and carefully constructed; its joints must be 

 tight and not admit the shiftiest and most penetrating 

 wind, and it should stand where trees or buildings 

 give it their protection from the north. 



By means of a coldframe, too, many plants may 

 be "wintered over" that would otherwise perish 

 utterly, and very young salad plants may be trans- 

 planted to it in the autumn from the garden, and 

 furnish salad well into the winter — sometimes indeed 

 all through it. Melons and cucumbers may be started 

 in it in spring rather than in the hotbed; the hotbed 

 forces them into too early growth and they require 



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