196 MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



and the like, also for pansies, foxgloves and flowers 

 of that sort. In places where the beds are not too 

 much in evidence, and evergreen boughs not avail- 

 able, corn fodder may be used and the sweet-corn 

 patch may have its usefulness extended by furnishing 

 a warm covering for the taller plants in need of 

 shelter. 



In protecting tender roses, azaleas and rhododen- 

 drons, however, I have found it profitable to further 

 protect the roots by placing pieces of sod about them, 

 bringing it well up about the stems and fastening 

 it there with stout cord. Most of the injury to tea 

 roses occurs near the ground where the frost heaves 

 the earth away from the stem, admitting the cold, 

 and it is no imusual thing to find the stems rup- 

 tured at this point. This the sod effectually prevents. 

 Small plants may be quite covered in this way and 

 will come through the winter in fine shape. 



Vines of a tender nature, especially clematis, should 

 be laid down if practicable and covered with dry 

 leaves and boards. Hardy vines, especially those 

 which cling naturally to walls, as the trumpet vine, 

 Boston ivy and the like, should not be disturbed. The 

 Boston ivy is somewhat tender and may be protected 

 during its first winter or two by tacking burlap, 

 matting or old carpet over it, first securing the ends 

 of the burlap, etc., to strips of wood and securing 

 these in turn to the wall or trellis on which the 



