92 TREATISE ON 



perishes as soon as it's exposed to air & sunlight. Add to that their cost, the time 

 involved, the attention required, the trouble, & their short duration. The only 

 improvements that have appeared to date are small canopies made of straw mats, very 

 thin boards, large oilcloths, &c. These are placed below the coping on small hooks 

 fastened into the wall or tied to the trellis, or attached on one side to the trellis & on the 

 other to poles. These are driven into the planting bed at a convenient distance from the 

 wall, or supported by whatever means one can devise. The canopies, eighteen to twenty- 

 four inches wide, & of optional length, joined to one another at their ends, are put in 

 place as soon as swelling of the buds indicates that they're about to blossom. This 

 happens around mid-February, or sooner or later depending on the type of tree (some 

 bloom sooner than others), the terrain & exposure, the course & the nature of the season, 

 &c. that can advance or retard flowering. They're removed when there's no longer any 

 fear of atmospheric damage, usually in April or May. Even if they don't protect the trees 

 completely, they at least shelter parts of them from hail, snow, cold rain and damp frost, 

 severe scourges especially when followed by sunshine. It's not the cold itself, but it's 

 damp cold followed by sunshine that the trees dread in the spring. These canopies don't 

 have the same problems as the other shelters mentioned above; they don't cost as much, 

 nor do they need as much care. They can be used for fan-shaped trees, counter-espaliers, 

 & trees in rows by making them wider & arranging them so that they cover both the front 

 and the rear of the trees. 



