Shelter
The value of Shelter cannot be over estimated in connection with the cultivation of some-what tender trees and shrubs, fruit-trees, kitchen-garden crops, and flowers, and gardening generally. A site naturally sheltered is always preferable; but this is not always at command, and artificial methods of protection have to be resorted to. Especially is Shelter necessary from cold and unfavourable winds, and on the sea-coast from the prevailing winds and salt spray. Young trees and shrubs in nursery plantations may be effectually protected by planting hedges at right angles to each other, so as to form squares. These may be of Beech, Privet, Hornbeam, Thorn, Holly, or Yew, any one of which may be grown to the desired height, and kept trimmed. For sheltering valuable alpines and perennials that are not quite hardy, hand-glasses or bell-glasses are well adapted; a little dry litter or bracken may be scattered over them as well during severe frost. Small hurdles, placed on the coldest and most exposed sides, are good for protecting some of the larger specimens, also for placing over halfhardy shrubs and trees on walls. A covering of Frigidomo, or any wooly material, will afford a good deal of Shelter to plants in frames during winter, and this substance, or even ordinary netting, placed over wall-fruit trees, when in flower, will often secure a crop that would otherwise be lost. Branches of Common Spruce may be used with advantage for sheltering somewhat tender trees on walls, and for such plants as Tea Roses in beds, &c. For preserving specimen plants, such as shrubs, that are not hardy, some stakes may be tied together, so as to form a sort of hood, somewhat in the shape of an extinguisher, and covered close down to the bottom with ordinary garden mats. This may be lifted on and taken off in winter, according to the state of the weather, and will be found to provide ample Shelter to the plant beneath. The necessity of providing Shelter is referred to under Garden and Seaside Grounds and Plants, and in other places where the plants described are in need of a specially-favoured situation.