PROTECTION FROM FROST. 



155 



occupy the beds and borders when danger of frost is over, 

 there is a large class of plants, that, with a slight protec- 

 tion where they stand, will pass the winter safely and 

 throw up much more vigorous shoots than if taken up 

 and replanted. A friend of ours succeeds perfectly with 

 the fig in Pennsylvania by bending down the limbs yearly 

 and covering them with earth ; and with no protection, in 

 Georgia, they are occasionally killed to the ground. 



Ordinary herbaceous plants need no protection, unless 

 they have been divided or transplanted in autumn. Those 

 that are more tender may have their roots and crowns 

 protected with moss, straw, or coarse stable manure, not 

 placed so thick as to heat. Leaves, if employed, will re- 

 quire a little soil or brush thrown over to keep them in 

 place. Tender bulbs are protected in the same way. If « 

 the foliage is evergreen, it must not be smothered with 

 too thick a covering. 



Shrubby plants may have their roots well covered thus, 

 and their stems bound with straw or moss. For small 

 shrubs, a few evergreen boughs thrown over them is a good 

 protection ; larger ones may have their branches drawn 

 together and wound with straw. Tender roses may have 

 tan-bark or saw-dust banked up about their stems, to be 

 removed in spring. 



Climbing plants, if tender, must be taken down and 

 laid upon the soil to be covered with leaves or earth. 



There is some danger, where much litter is used, of 

 harboring vermin. Many things are better protected by 

 bending a few hoops across the bed with three or four 

 laths lying on them, on which is thrown a cloth or mat- 

 ting in severe weather. Pansies, carnations, and stocks, 

 are thus generally protected, giving them light and air in 

 mild weather. Flower pots, sun shades, vine shields, and 

 wooden frames, covered with canvas or oiled paper, are 

 all useful in protecting low plants. Boxes and barrels are 

 convenient for larger ones. None of these must touch 



