CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



GARDEN PROTECTION. 



There are three main lines of protection to which the vegetable 

 grower may find himself compelled to give attention, and he may 

 sometimes be so beset by ills that he will cry in despair that all 

 forces of earth, air and sky are arrayed against his enterprise. For- 

 tunately, however, there is nothing in the situation, usually, to appall 

 a man who is energetic and prompt and eager for success, and an 

 effort will be made to suggest expedients and methods which will 

 assist in repelling various destroying agencies. The three classes 

 of intruders to which attention will be called are these: unfavor- 

 able atmospheric conditions; injurious insects and fungi; injurious 

 animals. 



PROTECTION AGAINST WINDS AND FROST. 



Protection against harsh winds has already been incidentally 

 mentioned from time to time. There are very few places where a 

 good windbreak will not be of decided advantage, and if the gar- 

 den ground can not be selected so as to enjoy the protection of 

 trees and buildings already in place, special planting or construc- 

 tion should be undertaken. A good shelter belt of trees, preferably 

 of evergreen foliage so placed as to break the cold winds from the 

 direction prevailing in the locality, will be found of immense ad- 

 vantage. Where such protection is not practicable, a high fence, 

 even if not closely boarded, will afford some protection to a much 

 greater width of ground than one might think at first. 



Protection against frost, effective against a drop of several de- 

 grees below the freezing point, is also possible by the use of a 

 smoke smudge. Most effective fires are those which yield volumes 

 of steam as well as smoke, so that masses of wet straw or rubbish, 

 placed over dry stuff enough to maintain combustion, are the best 

 material. Running or standing water close to the plants will also 

 prevent frost effect, providing the temperature does not sink very 

 far below the freezing point nor remain there too long. Under 



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