206 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



it lightly, as a mass closely packed becomes damp and 

 mouldy, and kills rather than protects. 



Plants too tall to be covered should be protected 

 with straw or corn-stalks ; cover for some litttle dis- 

 tance beyond the roots with leaves or litter, and place 

 straw or corn fodder around them, bringing it to a 

 point at top, and tying firmly there and in the middle, 

 sloping the stalks sufficiently to shed rain. Tall Rose- 

 bushes, young Althaeas, and similar growths, are much 

 benefited by this form of protection. Long beds of 

 plants as Japanese Iris, Pansies, and the like may be 

 protected by taking narrow boards eighteen or twenty 

 inches long, with a notch cut in one end, the other end 

 being pointed and driven into the ground; set these 

 at intervals through the centre of the beds; place the 

 poles lengthwise of the beds, their ends resting in the 

 notches, and arrange evergreen boughs across the 

 poles on each side to shed rain. Corn fodder may be 

 used where the evergreens cannot be procured, or a 

 row of pegs may support two boards, forming a A- 

 shaped roof, which will protect from wind, sun, and 

 water equally. Protect the Lily and Peony beds with 

 a foot of leaves and rough, old manure. Rhododen- 

 drons, at the North, must have both roots and tops 

 protected if there is to be any bloom the following 

 year. Muslin-covered frames and leaves will do this 

 best. Great care must be taken not to break off the 

 buds, which are exceedingly brittle. Frames with re- 

 movable lids that will admit of filling in gradually, 



