2IMELY TOPICS FOR THE AMATEUR. 



477 



Ing of the materials mentioned, with the 

 assistance of a covering of snow, will be 

 found to produce better results than too 

 heavy an artificial covering. Many border 

 plants will often come through the winter 

 splendidly, without any protection, but a 

 light covering, if properly applied, is cer- 

 tainly an additional security. 



For roses, tender shrubs, or plants that 



covering for young tender trees or plants 

 in winter. The brush or shrub to be pro- 

 tected should first be tied or bunched up in 

 as close a compass as possible. Commence 

 putting on the material at the base of the 

 plant first, allowing each successive layer 

 to slightly overlap the one below it. This 

 method effectually throws off all moisture, 

 thereby lessening to a great extent the 



Fig. 1948. Bed of Cannas at Gore Park, Hamilton, Oct. 12, 1900. 



cannot be laid on the ground and protected, 

 no better covering can be found than two 

 or three thicknesses of bass matting. The 

 dried grass mats, used for an outer cover- 

 ing of tea chests that are imported from 

 China, makes a splendid covering for this 

 class of plants. An inner lining of straw, 

 or some similar material, may in some 

 cases be necessary in addition to the matting. 

 Long sedge grass, or even the long leaves 

 or husks of corn, are also useful for a 



serious effects of severe frosts. Vines that 

 can be laid down near the ground can 

 easily be protected with leaves, long strawy 

 manure, or sedge grass. None of these 

 coverings that have been mentioned should 

 be put on until quite late in the season, 

 especially in the case of covering up grape 

 vines, as mice and rats may perhaps mistake 

 your protecting material as having been 

 prepared for their especial benefit, to furnish 

 comfortable quarters for them to winter in. 



