Rice straw matting protection

Some tropical plants, such as certain species of palm, are covered completely with a close fitting garment of rice straw, and tender plants are provided with a rice straw manteau as may be seen in some of our illustrations. To preserve the ground and moss against frost, pine needles are scattered, about an inch or so thick, all over the garden, leaving the stepping stones uncovered, and left thus through the winter months when the garden gives quite a different aspect.