PROTECTION OF HALF-HARDY PLANTS IN WINTER. 173 



few of the portable frames, the amateur Horticulturist will be able to preserve many- 

 greenhouse plants, usually supposed to be too tender to endure our winters, such as 

 the splendid Clianthus, the Pittosporums, the Acacias, Photinias, Camellias, Mag- 

 nolias, Myrtles, and many others. 



Tender shrubs and half-shrubby plants. — The protection of this class of subjects 

 involves, perhaps, a little more care than the preceding, but the same principles 

 must be kept in view. A great point will be gained if the roots of shrubs can be 

 screened from the heavy rains so characteristic of our autumnal seasons ; and this 

 can be accomplished without difficulty, by applying two of the wooden semi-circles, 

 referred to in the previous page, around the base of the stem, so as to form a 

 complete disc. In many cases, such a protection applied early, would so materially 

 check the production of young wood, and assist the ripening of the shoots, that it 

 would alone be sufficient to prevent injury by subsequent frosts. 



There are a few plants, however, which will need a covering of some description, 

 and of this number is the Tree Pceony fjfoutanj. This splendid plant, our readers 

 are aware, does not die down annually, but possesses a shrubby habit, and, like the 

 herbaceous kinds, commences its growth in early spring, while frost is yet rife. It 

 is at this period that protection is chiefly required ; and it may be afforded by 

 driving a few upright stakes around the plant, and arching over these two stout 

 osiers, placed cross-wise, their ends being secured to the stakes by tarred strings. 

 Over the top a piece of waterproof material can be thrown at night, and secured 

 with string to the stakes. The same kind of covering may be used for all tender 

 evergreens of large size, such as the Rhododendron arboreum, and the other species 

 that are likely to suffer from full exposure. It is not only during actual frost that 

 this protection will be needed, but also whenever the cutting east winds are preva- 

 lent. In the latter case, it is often advisable to protect with the canvass only that 

 side of the shrub next the wind, the other being left open. Some of the Cistus 

 family are liable to perish in winter if the soil is wet, or the situation is very 

 exposed, and to these beautiful shrubs the kind of covering here suggested is very 

 suitable. In dry soils, a few branches of fir, laurel, or other common evergreens, 

 will often be found a sufficient protection for many dwarf shrubs and half-shrubby 

 plants. 



Where it may be occasionally necessary to completely cover half-hardy plants of 

 moderate size, such as the Cantua dependents and Mitraria coccinea, a cylinder, 

 formed of two or three hoops connected by a few upright rods, and covered with 

 tarred canvass, will be found of great service. If preferred, the skeleton of the 

 frame might be constructed of galvanized or painted iron wire, which would last 

 many years, if strongly made. A top to the cylinder will be essential ; and this 

 being separate, will allow of air being admitted in mild weather without disturbing 

 the entire protector. If additional warmth is required — and for the two plants we 



