42 FOEESTKY WORK 



Protection of Beds against Vermin, Frost, and Drought. 



As mentioned above, where the nursery is very exposed, 

 shelter from bitter winds may be given to the seed-beds 

 by hedges, but against frost and vermin some other pro- 

 tection is needed. 



A most useful and handy form of screen is made of 

 ordinary plasterers' laths nailed to two cross-pieces, one 

 at 2 inches from each end of the laths. The latter are 

 1 inch apart on frames about 4 feet long. 



The frames of laths rest on boards 6 inches by -| inch, 

 which are set on edge along the sides of the beds, sunk to 

 the depth of an inch into the soil, and nailed to stakes 

 driven in every 4 feet. 



These frames prevent birds from getting in, and also 

 shelter the young seedlings from frost, and shade them 

 from the sun, which after frost does more harm than the 

 frost itself. 



The moisture is drawn by the action of the frost from 

 the cells (which when young are very full of water) into 

 the spaces between them. Here the water is frozen, and 

 in all probability, when the sun is strong, as in late spring, 

 it evaporates this before the cells can reabsorb it. In 

 support of this theory, if a dull morning follows a frosty 

 night Uttle damage is done, and if the trees are sprayed 

 with water before the sun gains strength it is practically 

 nil, so that it seems to point to a rapid thaw and equally 

 rapid evaporation being the cause of death, as much as 

 the frost. 

 This is one of the chief reasons why a good supply of 



