104 PROTECTING FROM FROST. [CHAP. V. 



those of the tree paeony (Paeonia Moutan), and 

 other beautiful shrubs, are frequently destroyed 

 by them; and, unfortunately, many of the modes 

 of protection, by knocking off and bruising the 

 blossoms, are almost as injurious as the frosts that 

 they are intended to guard against. Twisting a 

 straw rope round the trunk of a tree, and put- 

 ting its ends into a bucket of water, is certainly 

 a simple method, and it has been recommended 

 as a very efficacious one. When a mat is used 

 to protect wall trees, it does perhaps least injury 

 to the blossoms when curtain rings are sewed to 

 its upper end, and it is hung by these on hold- 

 fasts, or large hooks, driven into the upper part 

 of the wall. To make it more secure, particu- 

 larly in windy weather, it may be tied on the 

 sides with strands of bast mattino- to nails 

 driven into the wall ; and a broad moveable 

 wooden coping should rest on the holdfasts, 

 and cover the space between the mat and the 

 wall, to prevent injury from what are called per- 

 pendicular frosts. Camellias, and many half- 

 hardy shrubs, may be protected by laying straw 

 or litter round the roots ; as the severest frosts 

 seldom penetrate more than a few inches into 

 the ground. Even in the severe winter of 

 1837-8, the ground was not frozen at the depth 

 of ten inches. Tree pseonies, and other tender 

 shrubs that are in a growing state very early in 

 the spring, may be protected by coverinos of 

 basketwork, which are sufficiently large and 

 light to be lifted off during fine days. Hand 

 and bell glasses, sea-kale pots, and wooden 

 frames covered with oiled paper, are all useful 

 for protecting small plants. It is astonishing 



