The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1892-10-21
,ssiG.EAKNesk..
FlELRstsAp GARpEN
COLD FRAMES.
How by Their Employment the Truck
Garden May Be Made to Pay.

How by Their Employment the Truck
Garden May he Made to Pay.
The first use of cold frames is in win
tering cabbage, caulifiower and lettuce
plants for the extra early crops. Some
gardeners sow the seed directly into the
frames in rows few inches apart, and
thin afterward, Greiner recommends
as better plan the transplanting Of
plants from seed sown in the open
ground. By whichever plan, it is Of
great importance that each plant have
its full allowance of space. Following
is what Greiner has to say ON the sub
ject in his book, "How to Make the
Garden Pay"
Cabbage, caulifower and lettuce
plants are quite hardy, and can endure
considerable cold weather without in
jury. The sashes must be put on by the
time winter sets in, and the chief point
Of Importance afterward is unceasing
and untiring attention to proper venti-
lation. We should bear in mind that
the object is not to grow plants during
the winter, but to keep them on per-
feet standstill (dormant), and make
them SO hardy that they will at once
start into lively growth when planted
out in spring, even in rather cool
weather, and be able to endure late &c.
we're freezes without check. For this
reason q moderately low-not warm
temperatures required in the frames,
and also considerable amount Of ex-
posture. On cold but clear winter days,
and when the temperature is not lower
than within a few degrees of zero, the
sashes should be partly raised, by fitting
at back or front, or by partial removal,
or in any other convenient way. This
requires considerable attention and
good judgment. During moderate
weather the sashes had best be removed
entirely. Constant watchfulness and
doing the right thing at the right time
will insure good plants. Only in eli
mate with severe winters are shutters
or mats required for additional protec-
tion."
Another important use of the cold
frames is the production of spinach,
radishes, parsley, carrots, beets, ETC., for
early market. Spinach may be sown in
the autumn and marketed during tho
winter, or as soon as the plants are
large enough and prices acceptable.
The frames can then be replanted with
the same or some other CROP Vegeta-
bles thus grown in cold frames find
ready sale at remunerative prices,
though the extent to which the gardener
can afford to grow crops under glass
depends on local conditions. Make the
soil in the frames rich by mixing it freely
with good compost. Watering the beds
with weak solution of nitrate of soda in
duces quick growth and excellent quail
ity, especially crispness and tenderness.
Always sow the seeds in rows across the
beds. Sow spinach in rows s to 8 inches
apart, and thin to 2 inches; beets in
rows inches apart, and thin to 3inches'
carrots in rows inches, and thin to
inches, and radishes in rows inches
! and thin to 2 inches. Instead of plant
ing the radishes by themselves, however
it is generally preferable to SOW one rov
between each two rows of any other veg
etables. This makes the rows as close
as three inches apart in some cases, but
the radishes will be off in time for the
other stuff to occupy the space when it is
needed. The usual time for sowing these
crops is about March for New Jersey,
and CORRESPONDENCE earlier or later far
Their south or north; in other words, from
two to four weeks sooner than the same
vegetables could be sown in the open
ground.