WINTER PROTECTION 



branches are beyond their reach, protect the trunk with 

 straw, tar paper or burlaps, which will also pn-M-m 

 sun blistering. If the shrubs are in groups or low- 

 branched, run wire netting around them. Fall-planted 

 material should be better protected against frost than 

 established plants of the same species. All the Japa- 

 nese flowering forms of the plum, peach and cherry 

 tribes should have their roots mulched four or more 

 inches deep. The fatal damage in the winter of 1898-99 

 was at the roots, not overhead. Figs. 2731, 2732 show 

 protection by means of straw and boughs; 2733-35, pro- 

 tection inside of boxes, barrels and wire netting. 



Plants with evergreen foliage, like Match era sattgui- 

 ni a, are safer with a covering that will not mat down 

 and rot the foliage or injure the crown. The danger is 

 in open, wet seasons. Forest leaves are excellent for 

 winter covering, provided they do not mat down. Oak 

 leaves are good, but those of elm, maple and other 

 trees that shed their foliage early are soft and mat too 

 much. Leaves may be held in place by evergreen boughs, 

 brush, or tops of bushy perennials like our native as- 

 ters, or coarse strawy material. When leaves are used 

 in barrels or boxes, the top of the package should be 

 water-tight, and the leaves dry when put in. This pre- 

 caution is not essential in all cases, but it is a safe rule 

 to follow. Tar paper is comparatively cheap and comes 

 handy in many phases of winter covering. Gather the 

 leaves when they are dry, and store under shelter until 

 wanted. Save vines like those of Clematis paniculata 

 and pole limas ; they are good for covering climbing 

 roses that are almost, hardy. These keep off the bright 

 sun when the plants are in a semi-frozen condition, 



WINTKU PKOTIir, 



1! M 



2731. Straw overcoats for roses. 



shield them from the drying winds, and retard prema- 

 ture starting of the flower-buds. Forsyfhia suspensa 

 trained as a climber on a south wall is benefited by 

 such covering, or by burlaps, as its sheltered position 

 induces activity too early and its flowering buds become 

 a victim to late frosts. Any rhizomatous iris, such as 

 the German iris, should be planted where surface drain- 

 age is ample, and in the case of young plants, or those 

 recently divided, not covered with heavy manure, or 

 they are likely to decay in wet weather. Cover such 

 plants with light material. Old established plants 

 seldom need protection. Pyrethrum roseum requires 

 similar conditions and treatment. All lilies except the 

 hardiest, such as L. tigrinum, elegans, C'anadensis, 

 superbum, Philade?phicum, specioxttm , tenuifolium, 

 etc., are best covered by a mound of ashes wood or 

 coal which retains an even temperature. The other 

 lilies may be mulched with manure and L. eandnliini 

 with leaves. Eremurus in all its species, and A Ixtrb'- 

 meria aurantiaca, require a deep box of leaves and the 

 surrounding soil well mulched. An inverted V-sbaped 

 trough placed over tuch low edging plants as Veronica 

 circieoides and Thymus Serpylhtni, var. monttinus, is 

 beneficial. It is well to take up a few plants otMonarda 

 <!iili/ia, the double perennial sunflower, and Thyrnits 

 Ser'pi/llum, and winter them in a coldframe, over which 



pace an old wooden si, utter or un\ thing to shed rain 

 Placing leaves or manure over tho-,. tl. 

 Where permanent \v in.]. breaks. Mid, s ,,| ;i - 



3732. A tender tree bound with branches ol hemlock. 



The protected tree is A specimen <.f < ionlonin about 10 feet high, 



at Arnold Arboretum, Boston. 



evergreens, buildings or solid fences, do not exist, tem- 

 porary ones should be made of boards, e\ r 

 boughs, corn-stalks, etc., to protect arboreal plants that 

 are not quite hardy, e. g., in this climate Haltsia 

 tetraptera,&nA in the eastern states Magnolia gratidi- 

 flora, hollies, etc. Place the wind-break at the sides to- 

 wards the prevailing winds, generally north and \\i-t, 

 and at the sunny side of any evergreen that browns. 

 The boughs or stalks may be attached to wire net tin g 

 or to cords fastened to stak. 



The so-called retinosporas may have placed over 

 them an empty box open at the top. Shrubs that are 

 still more tender should be boxed, the box having a 

 tight top and ventilation at the sides. In all cases 

 mulch well at the roots. Magnolia Sonlangeana. M. 

 speciosa and plants of similar degrees of hardiness 

 may have their branches tied in and empty casks placed 

 over them, one sitting partially inside the other, and 

 held in place by stakes. Put a cone-shaped covering 

 over the top to shed the snow. Or poles may be set 

 close to the tree, wigwam fashion. Wrap these with 

 burlaps, or wind string around them for the straw to 

 lean against, and in both instances wrap with straw. 



The so-called hardy climbing roses, such as the Seven 

 Sisters and Prairie Queen, which are hardy without 

 protection but are benefited by it, Wiclmraiana and 

 its hybrids, Paul Carmine Pi'llar. Russell Cottage. 

 Crimson Rambler, Thalia, and Lord Penzance S 

 brier hybrids, if against a wall, may have clematis or 



2733. One way of protecting young rhododendron*. 

 The space .inside the wire netting Is filled with autum 



