1-36 



TREATISE ON THE CULTURE AND 



the fecond year you may get them into a fine bearing ftate, 

 if you. manage them as above directed. 



I fnall now give fome directions as to the belt method of 

 covering them. 



I generally cover them with bentings, or fhort grafs, from 

 the pleafure ground ; which I find anfwers the purpofe very 

 well: .after it is thoroughly dry, it may be put in a cock, 

 covering it with ft raw to prevent the rain from penetrating 

 into it, which will caufe it to heat and rot ; or it may be put 

 into one of the fheds. If you cannot procure grafs, get fome 

 dry mofs. Firft cover the trees with laurel, yew., fir, or fpruce 

 boughs, and then tuck in the fhort grafs or mofs among the 

 branches, beginning at the top of the tree, tucking in the 

 grafs, &c. as you defcend, till you come to the bottom. 

 Fern, when well dried, makes an excellent covering. You 

 may thatch the tree on the outfide with the long leaves of 

 the common fern ; when you can get thefe, there will be no 

 occafion for fhort grafs. Fern, when it can be procured, 

 which it may in moft country places, will be found prefer- 

 able to laurel. 



Figs may alfo be fheltered in Winter by wrapping hay or 

 ftraw-bands round the branches of the trees ; then open the 

 ground, lay in the branches, and cover them over with 

 mould about nine inches deep, leaving the ends of the fhoots 

 about three inches out of the ground, and covering the ground 

 over with fome rotten leaves, or old tan, &c. to keep out 

 the froft : you may alfo cover the roots of the trees in the 

 fame manner. 



If the walls are low, and the borders broad, you may bring 

 all the branches front ways ; but when the walls are high 



you 



