PROTECTING BLOSSOMS FROM FROSTS. 
151 
ARTICLE III. 
ON PROTECTING THE BLOSSOMS OF WALL FRUIT TREES, 
FROM FROSTS, BLEAK-WINDS, &c. 
BY MARK REYNOLDS. 
Gardener to John Cooke Yarborough , Esq. Campsmount, near Doncaster. 
After a careful investigation of your valuable Horticultural Regis¬ 
ter, I find no mention made of protecting the blossoms of wall fruit- 
trees, from frosts and winds in the spring months, except in page 19, 
Volume 1, which I conceive must be an expensive method. I have 
ventured, therefore, to send you the detail of a method we practice 
here, which is found to answer perfectly well. As soon as the blos¬ 
soms show the least inclination to burst or unfold, poles are placed 
upright five feet apart, and two feet from the bottom of the wall, 
sunk a little in the border, and the top fitting under the coping. 
Then having a quantity of hay or straw bands well twisted to any 
convenient length, commence nailing the first band on the top of 
every pole, the second band ten inches from the first in the same 
parallel direction, and so proceed until within two feet of the ground. 
Only two seasons trial of this simple protection has convinced me, 
together with some of my neighbours, that it is as effectual as any 
kind of netting, commonly used for that purpose ; and should the 
green fly (Aphis) make its appearance, it is easily annihilated, by 
using a few gallons of tobacco-water with a common garden syringe. 
Two or three dressings are sufficient. About the second week in 
May, when the bands are thoroughly dry, take off every other of 
them, and in a few days after, clear the whole away, and fold them 
up; if they are kept dry, they will last for three seasons : the poles 
put under a shed, will last a great number of years. The nails used 
are garden nails, which, when drawn, may be again used for summer 
nailing. Let it not be supposed, that I lay claim to originality, for 
ought I know, it may have been practised many years ago, in some 
parts, but not generally, to the extent it deserves. 
The tobacco-water is purchased at the manufactory for about 
eight-pence per gallon; five gallons are sufficient to clear a wall from 
insects, of one hundred and fifty yards long. In preparing it for 
use, add to every gallon of good tobacco-water, five gallons of pure 
soft-water, it may then be used with safety, two hours before the sun 
leaves the wall. 
Mark Reynolds. 
Campsmount, January 23rd , 1833. 
