102 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
ered with a mulch of soil 10 inches deep combined with a 
light layer of manure on top. A mere mat of straw placed 
around the canes on the trellis will be of little avail in severe 
weather. It is essential in covering the vines that no por- 
tion be left exposed, otherwise the entire cane above the 
dead section will have to be removed, nullifying the whole 
rocedure. The tender roses should be protected by hillin 
oose soil around each plant to a depth of 6-8 inches an 
mulching the entire Beds with a 3-4-inch covering of well- 
rotted, strawy manure. The wood above the mulch will 
shrivel and die during winter, but since the flowers are 
borne upon new wood in the spring no damage is done. The 
mulch ontd be put on just before continuous cold weather 
sets in and removed as soon as the sap begins to flow in 
the spring. Failure to remove the nick in the spring will 
cause a spindly growth which may be killed back by late 
frosts. Small beds may be covered by placing a wooden 
frame around the bed and stuffing it with straw or hay. 
Boxes, barrels, and other contrivances may be used, * ath 
viding care is taken to avoid smothering plants or allow- 
ing water to stand at the rovts. 
In loose sandy soils the herbaceous perennials need but 
little protection besides their natural covering of dead 
branches and leaves. However, a light mulch 2-3 inches 
deep placed over perennial beds after the ground has frozen 
is beneficial, particularly in heavy soils where heaving is 
liable to take place. Too heavy a covering has a tendency 
to rot the crowns of such biennials as Digitalis, Campanula, 
etc., and a heavy snowfall without any mulch is usually the 
best protection. Young herbaceous perennials and pansies 
are best wintered over in cold-frames. The plants should be 
allowed to freeze and straw mats then be placed over the 
frames. Sufficient light and ventilation should be afforded 
to prevent the plants from rotting, but not enough to thaw 
oC ae and early in the spring the mats should be re- 
moved, 
A somewhat different method of winter protection has 
been tried, based upon the theory that dark colors absorb 
heat, while light colors reflect it. In this latitude winter 
se SES the peach fruit buds is usually due to freezing 
after being stimulated into growth by warm weather. This 
stimulus may be due entirely to warmth and be practically 
independent of root action. It has been found that fruit 
buds may safely endure 10-20 degrees below zero if well 
matured, but if swollen by premature warmth may be killed 
at zero. Several applications of whitening during winter 
and spring have been of benefit in reducing winter killing. 
