Covering for Protection 257 



Some skilful strawberry-growers are able to delay fruiting 

 on small patches as much as two weeks by means of 

 mulches. While mulching the ground may not retard the 

 period of bloom, and thus enable the plant to escape frost, 

 it is possible that it may be useful in protection from frost, 

 because it holds moisture, and, therefore, tends to raise 

 the dew-point. 



Covering the plants to protect from frost. 



Covering for protection is practicable in many cases. 

 The discussion of the mulching of strawberries to protect 

 them from cold and from frost, as already described, 

 really belongs here. Plants may be protected from both 

 winter cold and spring frost by this means. 



Many low-growing plants may be covered with earth. 

 It is a practice in some places to plow a furrow or two over 

 the strawberry rows when a frost is anticipated; fig trees, 

 and other low or flexible-stenmied plants, are often planted 

 on sloping land, so that they may be bent to the surface 

 and covered when occasion requires. In parts of Russia, 

 and other cold coimtries, the trees of orchard fruits are 

 often pegged down in: a similar way. 



Grapes are regularly removed from the trellises and 

 laid down in some places. The vines may be covered 

 lightly with earth, or drawn under boards nailed together 

 trough-shaped. Sometimes a few sods are placed on the 

 vines to hold them in place, and the snow fills in among 

 them and affords adequate protection. 



Blackberries and raspberries are extensively laid down 

 in cold climates, and it may be well to relate the method 

 here, for the benefit of those who occupy bleak locations. 

 Late in fall, the bushes are tipped over and covered. 

 Usually three men are employed for this labor. One man 

 Q • 



