T\7.\D0\V GAiiDKyiya 55 
In ppring, wliioli is tlie (iinc that artificial beat -will be most ipqnirod, the zinc 
rr-.^orvoirs of your propagating boxes will need to be filled with water, both nijrht 
snd morninn;. Tn cases like our first mentioned one, not heated witli the lamp, 
boiling water should bo used, and tlie temperature in the closed case will vary 
from GO'' to 75° ; the silver sand as soon as it becomes a little moist, heats the 
soil in the pots, and the heat is retained for a long time, often 2-4 hours after the 
tank was first filled. 
Another home made case is constructed out of an old tea chest ; cut it down 
about one third, then fit into it a zinc pan 4 to 5 inches in depth to hold the wa- 
ter, over the toj) put a large pane of glass, and in such a box, large; numbers of 
c utlings may be raised with much less trouble than a hot bed causes. It can be kept 
in a back room or in the attic, and filled with small pots of cuttings and seeds. 
The glass top may be hinged on. But the best designs are, however, thus illustra- 
ted in Figs. 17, 18.. and 19. 
Cold Frames 
Many plants that have grown out of doors all summer, and may be needed for 
blooming in the window during the winter and spring, may be safely hou.sed in 
cold frames. This is a verj' desirable method for keeping a large quantity of 
plants. 
A frame may be made verj' easily and cheap as follows: Take a sheltered loca- 
tion, protected fi-om the north wind, and well diained, dig down four feet by 
eight — or four bj- twelve is a convenient size. 
Insert at each corner scantling posts, rising six inches above the surface in 
front, and eighteen inches above at the rear; nail boards to the inside of these posts, 
leaving about six inches space between them and theearth,to be filled with manure 
or tan. 
Outside the posts nail boards above the ground, leaving a space to be filled up 
with tan, etc. 
Cover the top with double sashes. Fill in the bottom of (he pit with small 
stones, or bits of charcoal, and throw in a foot or more of tan in which to sink 
the pots. Coal ashes will do as well as tan; they are requiied to secure dryness, 
warmth and ventilation. 
When the cold weather comes on, cover the sashes with straw mats or 
carpeting — and bank up the pit with tan or manure — put a good embankment 
about the whole pit. 
Place the plants in the pit, in the autumn, and let them have as much air as 
possible in mild days, covering closely, in cold nights. 
The chief care is to give fresh air in sufficient quantities, and to protect in se- 
vere weather from frosts. / 
Rose,?, Geranilims, Salvias, Fuchsias, Heliotropes, etc. can be kept quite safely in 
such a pit, an^be ready to force in the windows or conservatory by March 
