SECT. XII. OF PRUNING. 153 



whole they may be (as they generally are) left to take 

 their chance. After expence and trouble, this busi- 

 ness is often done to no purpose, or a bad one. 

 The covers sometimes knock off the tender blossoms, 

 and if the work is done irregularly, as perhaps co- 

 vered too close for a time, and then left uncovered 

 too soon, they are cut off perhaps in a single night 

 or day. 



Many contrivances for shelters have been used. 

 The old way of sticking cuttings of yew, or other 

 evergreens, or Jern, (which is best when dry) is as 

 little trouble as any ; but they should be fixed very 

 carefully, so as not to slip, or be moved by wind, 

 r and not so thick as to shade overmuch. A slight 

 covering is of service, and rather to be recommended 

 than a thick one. 



Nothing more than an old net is used successfully 

 by many gardeners for the purpose, keeping it con- 

 stantly (if single) till the fruit is set. 



A coping projecting from six inches to a foot, ac- 

 cording to the height of the wall, is serviceable, as 

 keeping off heavy rains, and also frosts. This 

 coping, when of thatch, is useful; but perpetual 

 covers, if wide, do harm by keeping off dew and 

 gentle rains, 



That is a good covering for the protection of 

 blossoms which Mr. Miller recommends, " made 

 with two leaves of slit-deal, joined over each other, 

 and painted, fixed upon the top of the wall with 

 pullies, to draw up and down at pleasure, forming 

 a sort of penthouse." It answers well on walls not 

 high. 



Reed or straw hurdles have been used to place be- 

 fore the trees in severe weather ; and if only set at 

 right angles against the wall, towards the east, when 

 the wind is strong from that quarter, they do good : 

 ,a long tree might have one set up against the 



