56 FLOWER GARDENING 
these really repay wonderfully the little care that 
it takes to prolong their blooming season. Pansies 
and sweet alyssum will stand the frost; the calen- 
dula and scabiosa a great deal of it. Look out for 
cosmos, dahlias and geraniums in particular. 
White cotton cloth laid over plants is the handi- 
est protection. Frost comes when the wind has 
gone, and the cloth is just heavy enough to stay 
in place by its own weight. If it presses too 
heavily anywhere, put a stake underneath. News- 
Papers are quite as good. Weight the corners 
with small stones if the plants are very low; tall 
plants may be wrapped loosely and the top of the 
paper brought together with pins. Uncovered 
plants that look dangerously frosted may often be 
kept from being blackened by sprinkling them with 
cold water the next morning, before the sun has 
a chance to shine on them. 
Another way, and a very pleasant one, to get 
the better of Jack Frost is to take up some of the 
plants while they are in bloom, or just before. 
Cosmos, and hardy chrysanthemums lend them- 
selves to this purpose especially well. Dig the 
plants up with a good ball of earth and put in pots 
or tubs. The plants will be very decorative in- 
doors, on the porch or set in the shrubbery or 
hardy border and placed under cover at night. 
Both plants have a long period of bloom. Cosmos 
plants may also be placed in a shed or barn, or 
the potting room of a greenhouse, and the blos- 
soms used simply for cutting. 
