THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 
39 
lay them back on the ground, that the plant may enjoy light 
and air. This rough contrivance will save your selected row 
from being ravaged by spring frosts, and will do much to 
hasten their growth, and, if kept in use through April and 
May, will render the crop fit to dig three weeks earlier than a 
row of the same sort on the same ground wholly unprotected. 
To improve on the idea, have light frames made with cross- 
pieces to strengthen them, and cover the frames with cheap 
canvas, or have the frames open and cover as needful with 
mats or lengths of canvas cut to size and kept always ready. 
A section of such a frame will be like the letter A> and hence 
the name. The cost of a lot of such frames made in con- 
venient lengths would be so trifling that one season’s use 
would pay for them ; as a matter of course, they could be 
made so as to last for years, and it would be a shame not 
to take proper care of them. 
Consider the use of such things. As already suggested, 
early potatoes may be hastened three weeks or so by their aid. 
Seeds sown early may be hastened in like manner, and seeds 
sown late, though not needing protection from the frost, may 
not the less be helped by being kept moist and dark, for the 
frames may of course be kept on by day as well as by night 
if needful. So, again, newly planted cauliflower plants and 
such-like usually need to be shaded and sheltered, and here is 
your ready-made shade and shelter all in a lump, to economize 
watering and prevent exhaustion by east wind or hot sun 
or frost. But winter will come, and the frames will be not 
