1/4 PROTECTION OF HALF-IIAEDT TLA.NTS IN WINTEB. 



have named it will be desirable — the cylinder may be covered with a piece of matting, 

 before attaching the outer canvass; this last should invariably be tarred or painted, 

 or it will soon rot ; in its stead oil-cloth may be used, but the canvass is consider- 

 ably the cheapest. The cost of such cylinders as we have described, three feet 

 high and eighteen inches in diameter, need not exceed 6d. each; and they may be 

 constructed by any person possessing the smallest modicum of mechanical genius, and 

 in any locality where a few stout osiers, a bit of canvass, and a little tar are attainable. 



Herbaceous and bulbous plants. — Practically, these two divisions may be classed 

 together, and their protection is very simple. In most cases, an 8-inch pot 

 filled with hay will be a sufficient protection for such roots as the Salvia patens, 

 Cuphea strigillosa, Anomatheca cruenta, and nearly all the Cape Eulbs. 



It is usual to employ in these cases a mulching of half- rotted manure, but this is, 

 in our opinion, very objectionable, as it soon becomes saturated with moisture, which 

 it retains for a long period. Leaves are open to the same objection unless they can be 

 kept dry, which may be done by placing a slate or tile over them : this will not 

 only keep the leaves in their places, but afford in itself additional protection. 

 Small heaps of coal-ashes are sometimes placed over tender roots, and if screened from 

 wet by covering them with a large pot, these are very efficient protectors. "We 

 have seen sawdust used for the same purpose ; but no worse substance could be 

 employed, unless it is kept dry by covering ; when exposed to wet, it loses entirely 

 its protective character. 



For bulbs or plants requiring only slight protection, a furze branch or two, peg- 

 ged down, is one of the best and simplest coverings ; and this material will be found 

 exceedingly useful for beds of half-hardy bulbs, as well as for placing between 

 patches of autumn-sown annuals in severe weather. It is, however, very important 

 to observe that, in the case of bulbs or roots which commence their growth early in 

 the spring, the coverings should be partially removed, and their place supplied with 

 an empty pot. 



We have by no means exhausted the subject, but sufficient has been said to guide 

 our readers to successful results It must be borne in mind, that a sudden increase 

 of temperature must be as carefully guarded against as severe frosts, especially in 

 the case of wall plants, which are often exposed in early spring to the alternate 

 influences of bright sunshine by day, and sharp frosts by night ; the injurious 

 effect of these sudden changes must be prevented by keeping the screens entirely 

 before the plants during the prevalence of such weather, removing it only in dull 

 days. In all cases, protective coverings should be cautiously withdrawn on the 

 approach of spring, and never entirely dispensed with at night, in the case of 

 delicate plants, until the end of April, when they may be placed aside in their 

 summer quarters until again, 



' Autumn's yellow lustre gilds the scene.' 



