The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-12-27
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.


Evergreen Boughs for ProtectiO
In the case of the strawberry-bed there are
reasons against an unctuous winter mulch
from the barn-yard, since the manure may
convey weed and grass seed; nor, indeed, does
the strawberry like any such heavy, close
blanketing as shall be impervious to free ad-
mission of air. The plants of this crop
want breathing space even in winter, else
they would not have been provided with
leaves that outlast the coolest weather.
Loose-lying pine needles, or forest leaves or
clean straw makes the best protection; and
manure is best applied in shape of some con-
centrated fertilizer, mixed with fine mould,
early in the spring. What we have said
about the strawberry suggests the further
remark that winter protection for all plants
and shrubs that carry their leaves through
out the year, is best given by covering that
affords free access of air.
The English ivy, the rhododendrons, or
half hardy evergreen of the coniferous tribe,
are more safely guarded by protection that
affords filtration to the wind, than by one
absolutely close. The ivy is not unfrequent-
ly smothered by the compact straw-mattiDg
which is put to its shelter with damaging
excess of care. The waited branches of fir
or pine make safer protection, and a very easy
and good shelter for rhododendrons is made
by simply thrusting into the earth around
them and among them, well developed
branches of cedar or fir. The same device
is capital for the protection of newly planted
evergreens, which, by reason of their transfer
and strange situation, may not be able to cope
with the storms of the first winter. A tender
vine too, upon north wall-whether the
vine be deciduous or evergreen-will profit
greatly by such shelter as we suggest. So
will the beds of sage, or thyme, which used
always to have place in every farmers gar
den.
Below the latitude of 3So, or thereabout,
1t is quite possible to protect the harder
kinds in this way, If good exposure be chos-
en-, and proper attention be paid to the eff
ficiency of the shelter. An outlaying trench
of celery may often be kept in the best pos
sible condition up to January by a well-ar-
ranged shelter of leaves and pine boughs.
A farmers cellar, which may be subjected to
freshness in extreme weather. may be safely
protected by pinning down two or three close
layers of pine or hemlock branches upon
the exposed sides. This, too, has far neat
er appearance than banks of strawy manure,
and as far less likely to be disturbed by invest-
eating poultry.
OF course, what we say about this use of
evergreen boughs will not greatly advantage
those who have no such wood growth at
command. But the ceder and pine and hem
lock, have pretty general establishment ov-
er the Northeastern and Middle States, and
the use suggested may stimulate still further
the disposition on the prairies OF the West,
for belt planting of eyergreens. In both ways
they are admirable warmth-keepers. Nature
gives long ''shag" to the coat of the polar
bear. We do not make so much account as
we might of the vegetable "shag" of the ever
greens, whether in winter belts or in beughs.
-New York Tribune.