IV 



PLANTING 



59 



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

 panied 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 about six inches ; in any mode, no pro- 

 tection 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 injur- 

 ing them in scraping up sufficient earth, and a fresh 

 supply for the purpose from elsewhere is heavy and 

 inconvenient to move away again. 



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 together on the 

 beds they probably generate a small supply of heat 

 in themselves. 



They should be put a foot to eighteen inches in depth 

 all over, around, inside, and between the plants, and I do 

 not find that they blow away in appreciable quantity, 

 except perhaps on the very outside, where they may be 

 renewed. They will be beaten down and consolidated 

 a little by snow and rain, when a fresh supply if 

 necessary can be added. 



I believe these to be the best protection: they are 

 Nature's own covering: the bed-clothes she herself 

 provides for the winter sleep of her tender plants, and 

 even apples accidentally left on the ground under the 



