146 FRUIT GARDEN COMPANION. 



places I have seen the peach tree bent down on one 

 side and partly protected by covering earth over 

 some of the branches, but it is a system I cannot 

 recommend because the trouble is always treble the 

 profit. In some cases trees are protected by 

 covering their branches with coarse matting, as bass- 

 mats or other coarse articles of that texture ; in 

 others, clean straw is neatly placed and bound round 

 plants, which answers a very good purpose for dwarf 

 trees. The neatest manner of doing this is first to 

 tie in the branches of the tree or plant closely and 

 neatly together, and place the straw smoothly around 

 it, which should be bound neat and tight, with 

 strong yarn strings, or wisps made of basket willow 

 or other pliable wood. 



To the foregoing remarks it may be added, that 

 almost every kind of young trees require to be 

 slightly protected in a nursery state. This may be 

 effected by covering, with leaves, soil or horse ma- 

 nure on the rows or beds; but care must be taken, 

 not to cover too heavily so as to press down the 

 plants and break their stems. 



To these different methods of protection, that of 

 protecting trees and vines in blosssom may be add- 

 ed. This partial covering is necessary to guard off 

 frost and cold cutting winds, and may be effected 

 either by covering at night with mats when against 

 walls or trellis, or using old netting, gause or other 

 thin substance that may remain always before the 

 plants or trees to break off frost, wind, and other 

 detrimental causes. 



