The Garden Under Glass

284 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS Protecting a Cold Frame from Frost When our old friend Frost (for really he is not an enemy) has commenced paying us frequent visits it will be neces-sary to protect plants in a cold frame. For a moderate frost and for plants which are almost hardy the mere faet of closing the lights will suffice if the light be in good repair. But later, when frost becomes more severe and longer in duration, it will be necessary to cover the frame with a mat, or even to take stronger methods of protection. Let us consider how to protect the occupants of a frame from 200 to 30° of frost. The woodwork of the frame would scarcely be of sufficient thickness to withstand this, so it is advised that a lining be formed. Posts are driven and boards put round so as to enclose the frame on its four sides, but to leave a space of about a foot between the frame and the outer woodwork. This space is then filled with soil, ashes, leaves or lifter, and will effeetually keep out all the frost we are ever likely to get. But we have also the light to consider. Really the best covering for these is some heavily thatched hurdles ; failing these, about a foot of litter may be spread over, taking care not to break the glass with the fork. The straw may be covered and kept in place by means of a tarpaulin or mat. The Care of a Frame Quite a respectable little booklet could be written on the subject of the amateur’s frame, but to do anything like this here would mean a considerable amount of repetition and overlapping, and is not necessary. After what I have pointed out regarding the possibilities of a frame, surely I may expect that readers who have not got one will proceed