362 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



thick around the bush and begin the tying at the bottom. Use 

 strong twine, pass if around straight and twice at each place, then 

 loop and carry up to the next banding place, drawing it sufficiently 

 at each place so that it will crease, the straw and not slip. Finish 

 the top by cutting off the straw squarely. 



One advantage of such protection I have overlooked naentioning. 

 It is the shelter that conies against both wind and sun. No doubt 

 winter sunshine, which in America is very bright on the clearest 

 days, is responsible for more damage to twigs than ia generally 

 understood. Take two thermometers: hang one on the north, the 

 other on the south side of a tree, on a cold sunny day in February, 

 and you will be suprised at the difference in the indications of the 

 two. We know that the evergreen English ivy will winter far more 

 safely on a north wall, colder that it is, than on a south wall where 

 the sun can strike it. It is a point that may account for much injury 

 in the winter that otherwise is a mystery. With the help of a coat 

 of straw, the chance of such injury is obviated. 



One other thing remains to be done in finishing the protection of 

 shrubs, namely, to apply a cover 3 or 4 inches in depth of manure 

 over the roots and against the standing straw. This done, and you 

 leave the subject in excellent shape for the winter siege. As we sel- 

 dom have severe winter before the holidays, to protect shrubs any 

 time during December in the north will answer about as well as 

 earlier covering. (November would be better in Minnesota.) 



In large grounds and parks, where shrubs are massed in beds 

 somewhat in the open, so that there is little danger of deep snow- 

 drifts, as is the case near buildings, the matter of winter protection 

 for the hardier shrubs seldom receives attention. The danger of 

 breaking down with snow is lessened here, while the shrubs 

 being closely planted in a measure shelter one another. If a few 

 branches should happen to break down from an unusually heavy 

 snow-fall, the injury from looks in the mass would not be as plain 

 as if the plants stood somewhat by themselves on the lawn. But 

 even in the larger masses, a coat of manure over the roots in the 

 fall is desirable, even though no straw be applied to the tops. 



The first warm weather in April throughout the north, is a suit- 

 able time to remove the covering from hardy shrubs. In the case of 

 the manure applied over the roots, this may be either removed or 



be spaded in. 



Elias a. Long. 



Ripe Tomatoes for Christmas. — Before frosts come pick all 

 sound, green fruit from the vines and carefully wrap each one 

 separately in a 6x9inch sheet of white wax paper, taking care not to 

 twist it, as in packing oranges. Spread out in a single layer on trays 

 or in shallow boxes and place in partial light in a cellar. To hasten 

 ripening they may occasionally be exposed to the sun half an hour 

 at a time. Once a week I examine and pick out the red ones and 

 those that may decay. This may be done easily as the transparency 

 of the paper does not necessitate unwrapping. Thus I have a con- 

 stant supply of plump, palatable and beautiful tomatoes till Christ- 

 mas usually, with but trifling expense and trouble. — O. J. Farmer. 



