249 
STRICTURES ON PROTECTING EXOTIC PLANTS THROUGH 
THE WINTER SEASON. 
In a valuable work which has recently appeared, entitled " The Greenhouse, 
Hothouse, and Stove," by Mr. M'Intosh, gardener to the King of the Belgians, at 
Claremont, we observe an article on a structure called the " Protecting Tent," 
which is intended for sheltering exotic plants in the winter season. As the struc- 
ture in question is proposed, and strongly recommended, for the accommodation of 
those individuals whose means will not permit them to incur the expense of a glass 
erection, but who are nevertheless desirous of cultivating a few exotic plants, we 
shall briefly notice its principal features, and then offer a few observations on its 
adaptation and practical utility. 
The situation chosen for such a purpose should be well sheltered (naturally if 
possible) from winds, but at the same time freely and fully exposed to the solar 
influences. To ensure a due circulation of water, the bed in which the plants are 
to be placed should be elevated a foot or more above the surrounding surface, and, 
if necessary, effectively drained beneath. These points attained, a number of piles 
should be fixed in the ground, at regular intervals all round the bed, for the pur- 
pose of supporting the frame-work which is to be erected over it ; and as it is 
desirable that the latter should be portable, the supporting posts of it should either 
be fixed into an iron ring attached to the lower piles, or they should be fastened to 
them by means of hooks, or any other security. The frame may be constructed of 
any required size, with a span roof, the rafters of which, as well as the pillars 
which support them, should be from three to four feet apart, and as slender as may 
be deemed compatible with the safety of the whole. 
This frame, by being made of a portable nature, may be placed either on or off 
the bed at pleasure ; and if it is of any considerable size, it may be made to sepa- 
rate into smaller parts, for the purpose of removing it conveniently. During the 
summer months, it may be entirely taken away, and on the approach of winter its 
employment will again be necessary. The roof of it may be covered with a 
tarpauling, or any kind of tarred canvass that will effectually throw off the rain ; 
while mats, or similar light material, may be hung along the sides, to be opened or 
entirely removed in fine weather. In very severe frosts, the whole of the erection 
may be covered with a tarpauling, and, over this, any other similar substance may 
be placed, if considered necessary. 
We have thus detailed the principal features of the " protecting tent," and the 
mode of constructing it. It is difficult to determine its aspect, but we should 
recommend that it run parallel from north-east to south-west ? or between these 
points and north and south. The bed should be formed of a prepared compost, 
according to the nature of the plants intended to be grown in it, varying it in 
different parts to suit the different kinds of plants, and likewise arranging its 
VOL. V.— NO. LIX. K K 
