IV PLANTING 69 



top-heavy to stand a violent wind without some 

 additional support. 



For a few dwarf Teas a rude platform of crotched 

 sticks with poles laid on them to support fir or ever- 

 green boughs answers generally very well : in this 

 case it would be good for the plants to remove the 

 protection when there is no severe frost ; and it may 

 be taken as a general rule that frost to the extent of 

 ten to twelve or even more degrees will do no harm 

 in the winter, if it be not unduly prolonged or ac- 

 companied by a dry east wind. 



Another material for the protection of dwarf Teas 

 that seemed very reasonable and good at first is earth 

 itself. To use this, the rows of plants are earthed 

 up by a hoe, or even in large quantities by a plough, 

 in the same manner that potatoes are treated in 

 the spring, to the height of fom: to six inches ; in 

 any mode, no protection need be applied to the tops 

 of the plants, as a great deal will necessarily be cut 

 away in the spring pruning. But if the roots run 

 horizontally and shallow, as they should do, there is 

 considerable danger of injuring them in scraping up 

 sufficient earth, and a fresh supply for the purpose 

 from elsewhere is heavy and inconvenient to move 

 away again. If, therefore, this mode of protection 

 be used, and it is a popular and effective one, the 

 rows should be at least double the distance apart 

 that I have recommended. 



I find the cheapest, most convenient and handy 

 material for the protection of dwarf Teas from frost 

 to be dead leaves, which will just have fallen and 

 should have been gathered together in time for use. 

 If applied thickly enough, they appear to afford 

 ample protection against any frost, and when heaped 



