588 THE NURSERY. [NOV. 



diately on the setting in of hard frost, spread some dry straw, fern, 

 leaves of trees, or other light covering, thinly over the beds, to afford 

 additional protection, and in some measure to prevent the frost from 

 entering the ground as deep as it otherwise might; for, without the 

 above care, many of the plants would be spewed up by the frost, and 

 most of them be destroyed by the dry parching winds of the ensuing 

 spring. Observe that the covering must be light, or that it be sup- 

 ported above the plants by some means, or a serious injury may 

 accrue by its rotting the foliage, &c. The branches of common 

 cedar are good for this purpose. 



The top covering is not necessary except when the winter frosts 

 are severe : but sifting earth between and among the plants, so as 

 nearly to come up to the leaves, will be of use in every climate and 

 country ; and not only to pine and fir seedlings, but to every other 

 sort that are subject from their diminutive first year's growth to be 

 thrown out- of the earth by frost, or injured by drought. 



Any kind of seedlings that are rather tender should have hoop 

 arches made over the beds, and on the approach of severe frosts, 

 thick mats, &c. laid on these for the protection of the plants. 



All hardy plants in pots should now be removed to where they 

 can have sufficient protection in severe weather ; for if left fully ex- 

 posed to the frost, the plants will not only be injured, but the pots 

 burst by the expansion of the earth and water. 



Pots containing tolerably large and hardy exotic plants may be 

 plunged to their rims in a warm border, and covered six or eight 

 inches deep over their edges with tanners' bark, leaves of trees, 

 long litter, &c., which will considerably preserve the roots of the 

 plants. But the. more curious kinds of hardy evergreens and other 

 plants in pots should now be removed into the green-house, or into 

 garden-frames with glasses and other covering, the more effectually 

 to protect them. 



DIGGING BETWEEN THE NURSERY ROWS. 



You should now continue to dig the ground between all such trees 

 and shrubs as are to remain another year in the nursery rows ; this 

 will destroy the weeds, improve the plants, and add neatness to the 

 whole during winter and spring. 



ETC. 



Stake and tie up all new planted trees that are in open exposures, 

 in order to prevent their being rocked about by the winds, than 

 which there is nothing more injurious to them. 



Lay light litter of some kind, a good thickness, over the roots of 

 the more tender and choice kinds of trees and shrubs, to protect 

 them from frost; this will be of considerable service, and encourage 

 them to shoot vigorously in spring. 



