IV PLANTING 69 
top-heavy to stand a violent wind without some 
additional support. 
For a few dwarf Teas a rude platform of crotched 
sticks with poles laid on them to support fir or ever- 
green boughs answers generally very well: in this 
case it would be good for the plants to remove the 
protection when there is no severe frost ; and it may 
be taken as a general rule that frost to the extent of 
ten to twelve or even more degrees will do no harm 
in the winter, if it be not unduly prolonged or ac- 
companied by a dry east wind. 
Another material for the protection of dwarf Teas 
that seemed very reasonable and good at first is earth 
itself. To use this, the rows of plants are earthed 
up by a hoe, or even in large quantities by a plough, 
in the same manner that potatoes are treated in 
the spring, to the height of four to six inches; in 
any mode, no protection need be applied to the tops 
of the plants, as a great deal will necessarily be cut 
away in the spring pruning. But if the roots run 
horizontally and shallow, as they should do, there is 
considerable danger of injuring them in scraping up 
sufficient earth, and a fresh supply for the purpose 
from elsewhere is heavy and inconvenient to move 
away again. If, therefore, this mode of protection 
be used, and it is a popular and effective one, the 
rows should be at least double the distance apart 
that I have recommended. 
I find the cheapest, most convenient and handy 
material for the protection of dwarf Teas from frost 
to be dead leaves, which will just have fallen and 
should have been gathered together in time for use. 
If applied thickly enough, they appear to afford 
ample protection against any frost, and when heaped 
