153 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
under cover where it will not be in a frozen condition 
vhen wanted for use. 
212. Flats and plant boxes. — Flats are often used in 
greenhouses, and they are practically indispensable when 
starting plants in hotbeds and cold frames. Notwith- 
standing this, many gardeners do not use them exten- 
sively, for they have not learned their advantages, which 
may be enumerated as follows: (i) They make it possi- 
ble to do all the work of seed sowing and transplanting 
in warm, comfortable rooms provided with tables or 
benches of convenient height. Because of these comforts 
and conveniences, more work can be accomplished in a 
day, especially if the weather is cold or disagreeable, and 
it will be done better than when the worker must stoop 
over frames. (2) Sowing or transplanting may be con- 
tinued whatever the character of the weather. When 
transplanting in severe weather, the box of plants should 
be protected by a cloth or a box when carried to the 
work room. So should the plat of transplanted seedlings 
when taken to the cold frame. (3) Many growers claim 
that they can grow better plants in flats, because moisture 
conditions are more perfectly controlled. (4) Each flat 
contains a uniform number of plants, and this is a great 
advantage when making sales. (5) In shipping, the flats 
of plants may be crated, if this is desired, and they will 
reach their destination in perfect condition. (6) When 
planting in the field the flats may be hauled and dis- 
tributed over the field at convenient intervals. (7) The 
plants may be pulled with a large amount of soil, as 
shown in Figure 38. Some gardeners go to the trouble 
of cutting out each plant with a block of soil or of 
compost. 
Flats may be made from soap boxes or other boxes of 
convenient size. This is doubtless the most economical 
plan, but there are objections to it. The lumber in a 
miscellaneous lot of boxes is variable in quality and dura- 
