WINTER PROTECTION 195 



this treatment, but few plants are injured by a good 

 mulch of rough barn-yard litter about the roots, 

 which not only protects but feeds. 



Where a plant is protected beyond its actual needs 

 a tender growth is likely to be favored in the late 

 days of winter or early spring, which the cold, usually 

 following on unseasonable weather, injures. Anyway, 

 this tender growth is seldom as desirable as the 

 hardier more rugged putting forth of the unprotected 

 plant and the greatest difficulties I have met with in 

 wintering plants has come from injudicious protec- 

 tion — protection which seemed demanded but proved 

 enervating to the plant. 



Plants which die down to the ground in winter 

 usuallj have sufficient top growth, if broken down 

 about the plant, to give all the protection needed. 

 Plants which do not die down, but make a winter 

 crown of leaves, like the hollyhocks, Canterbury bells, 

 and paiisies, are often a problem, as they require a 

 considerable amount of air during winter. Ever- 

 green boughs provide the very best covering, as they 

 shut out wind and sun and admit air. "Where plants 

 are grown in long rows I have had good results 

 by driving a few notched stakes into the ground be- 

 tween the rows lengthwise of the beds, placing poles 

 on these and hanging evergreen boughs over the poles, 

 the ends trailing on the ground. This is an excel- 

 lent arrangement for roses, azaleas, rhododendrons 



