THE FRUIT GARDEN. 



387 



to suffer by hail-showers, fi-ost, &c. In this way, there is 

 much less danger of rendering the blossoms delicate by the 

 covering, than if it were applied at an earlier period. These 

 frames, if taken care of, will last for many years, and will be 

 useful for ripening melons, cucumbers, or protecting flowers, 

 and many such purposes. 



The bad effects of frost in still weather, which may be said 

 to fall perpendicularly, may be guarded against by fixing a 

 temporary coping of boards to the top of the wall, so as to 

 project a foot or a foot and a half over the trees, and may be 

 removed when all danger of such frosts are over ; but these 

 perpendicular frosts are less injurious than cutting fi'osty 

 winds, which, while they prevail, to a certain degree, blast 

 every species of vegetation. 



The most effectual guard against the ill effects of frost and 

 winds, at this season, is canvas screens, recommended by 

 Nicol, which, while they break the force of the winds, and 

 sufHciently guard off the frost, do not prevent a sufficient 

 quantity of light from penetrating to the trees. The cloth for 

 this purpose should be very thin, like what is called bunting ; 

 and that it may last the longer, and admit more light, it should 

 be oiled. 



The screens may either be fixed in frames, or may be put up 

 in single sheets, and be made to answer for one or for several 

 trees, as they may happen to be placed on the wall. In either 

 case, they should be placed clear of the tree, that is, about 

 the distance of a foot at top, and eighteen inches at bottom. 

 If in frames, they may be made to move in the manner of a 

 common sash, between rafters, and may be double, as in win- 

 dows, to go either up or down, in order to admit air. The 

 rafters being made moveable, the whole may be removed or 

 put up at pleasure, and if carefully dried, and packed up in a 

 dry room, when not in use, will last many years. If the 

 screens be made in sheets, they may be mounted upon rollers 

 at the top of the wall, and lowered or taken up at pleasure ; 

 but in this case, it is also necessary to have a set of slight 

 rafters, or neat poles, laid against the walls at proper dis- 

 tances, to prevent the wind from dashing the canvas against 

 the ti*ees, the effects of which are too obvious to mention. 



