THE ROSE 



mean by the term " ample protection " is — a cov- 

 ering of one kind or another that will shade the 

 plant and counteract the influence of the sun 

 upon the frozen soil — not, as most amateurs seem 

 to think, for the purpose of keeping the soil 

 warm. I have already made mention of this 

 scientific fact, and may do it again because it is 

 a matter little understood, but is one of the great- 

 est importance, hence my frequent reference to it. 

 If earth is used as a covering, it should be 

 dry, and after it is put on, boards, or something 

 that will turn rain and water should be put over 

 it. Old oil-cloth is excellent for this purpose. 

 Canvas that has been given a coating of paint is 

 good. Tarred sheathing-paper answers the pur- 

 pose very well. Almost anything will do that 

 prevents the earth from getting saturated with 

 water, which, if allowed to stand among the 

 branches, will prove quite as harmful as exposure 

 to the fluctuations of winter weather. If leaves 

 are used, — and these make an ideal covering if 

 you can get enough of them, — ^they can be kept 

 in place by laying coarse wire netting over them. 

 Or evergreen branches can be used to keep the 

 wind from blowing them away. These branches 

 alone will be sufficient protection for the hardier 

 kinds, such as Harrison's Yellow, Provence, Cab- 



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