OF FIGS. 197 



the tree on the outside with the long leaves of the 

 common fern; when you can get these, there will 

 be no occasion for short grass. Fern, when it can 

 be procured, which it may in most country places, 

 will be found preferable to laurel. 



Figs may also be sheltered in Winter by wrapping 

 hay or straw-bands round the branches of the trees; 

 then open the ground, lay in the branches, and 

 cover them over with mould about nine inches 

 deep, leaving the ends of the shoots about three 

 inches out of the ground, and covering the ground 

 over with some rotten leaves, or old tan, &c. to 

 keep out the frost : you may also cover the roots 

 of the trees in the same manner. 



If the walls are low, and the borders broad, you 

 may bring all the branches front ways ; but when 

 the walls are high, you can only bring the side 

 branches forward in the above manner. 



Some cover with reeds and straw ; the latter I 

 by no means approve of, as it is very apt to harbour 

 rats and mice, on account of some of the grain 

 being left in it. 



Be careful to observe, when you put on the 

 grass, that no mice, &c. have got amongst it ; and 

 examine, during the Winter, that no rats or mice 

 get among the branches of the trees that are 

 covered against the walls ; if they do, they will 

 infallibly bark the branches, and in that case you 

 will be under the necessity of heading the trees 

 down. 



I would recommend setting traps, such as shall 



o 3 



