Shelter For The Glass

In proportion to the number of lights, matting for shading and sheltering must be at hand. The usual mode of covering at night is by laying on mats, and over these litter, in thickness according to the severity of the season. Some gardeners lay hay immediately in contact with the glass, and over this the mats. Every; person conversant with these modes of shelter is aware of their inconvenience. In rainy weather they soon become wet, and rapidly chill the beds; added to which, the trouble caused in placing and removing them, and the danger to the glass from the stones laid on as a resistance to the wind, are by no means inconsiderable.

Mr. Seton, to obviate these inconveniences, employs a particular covering, which he constructs of four laths, two of such a length as to exceed a little that of the frame, and the others in a similar manner that of its breadth. These are bound together at right angles, so as to form a parallelogram of the form and size of the frame; and pieces are bound across this at a foot apart from each other. Over this a mat is spread, and over the mat a layer of straw is fastened, laid on level like thatch, from three to six inches thick, as may appear necessary. If the breadth of the frame is, or exceeds, four feet, it is best to have the covering in two parts, otherwise it becomes weak and unwieldy. These panels, as they may be called, Mr. Seton also employs in preserving tender plants through the winter. A pit of frames, earthed up all round, and covered with one of them, or two or three if needful, is completely impervious to frost.

Substitutes For Glass

Oiled paper was formerly employed; but this has been superseded by linen dressed with Whitney's or Tanner's compositions; or the gardener may employ the following preparation: -

"Old pale linseed oil, three pints; sugar of lead (acetate of lead), one ounce; white resin, four ounces. Grind the acetate with a little of the oil, then add the rest and the resin. Incorporate thoroughly in a large iron pot over a gentle fire; and, with a large brush, apply hot to a fine calico stretched loosely previously, by means of tacks, upon the frame. On the following day it is fit for use, and may be either done over a second time, or tacked on tightly to remain." - Gard. Chron.

The quantity made according to this recipe will be sufficient for about 100 square feet of calico. - Johnson's Gard. Almanack.