254 GAKDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



PROTECTION FROM FROST. 



Late spring frosts are the terror of gardeners. In sec- 

 tions of country subject to them, tender plants should not 

 be planted early. As mulched or newly dug soils are 

 much more liable to the white frosts of spring, mulching 

 should not be applied to Irish potatoes, etc., until danger 

 of frosts is over, nor should tender plants be hoed when 

 a change to cold may be anticipated. If a frost is appre- 

 hended, plants in hills are best protected with boxes, vine 

 shields, or plant protectors placed over them. Rows of 

 beans or potatoes can be secured by covering them with 

 wide plank placed on blocks two or three inches above 

 the plants. "Almost all the modes of protecting plants 

 are founded on the doctrine of radiation, and hence the 

 fact should be kept constantly in mind that all bodies 

 placed in a medium colder than themselves are con- 

 tinually giving out their heat in straight lines, and that 

 these straight lines, when the body is surrounded by air, 

 may alwa3 r s be reflected back upon the body from which 

 they emanate by the slightest covering placed at a short 

 distance from them; while, on the other hand, if this 

 slight covering be placed close to the body, instead of 

 reflecting back the heat it will carry it off by conduction — 

 that is, the heat will pass off through the covering closely 

 applied, and be radiated from its surface." (Daniel.) 

 Hence, the covering or protection given is far more effi- 

 cient if it enclose a stratum of air without actually touch- 

 ing the plant. 



When plants are actually frozen, in many cases they 

 may be saved if they can be thawed gradually without 

 exposure to the sun. To effect this, if coverings are ap- 



