1.   Both are root-hardy, but when unprotected, the leaves freeze, and the dead stalks are pruned away in early spring.

2.   Cotton is little more than dead stalks, with a few clinging cotton bolls.

3.   Cutting back the dead stalks of herbaceous perennials before mulching makes the job easier.

4.   Instructing Thai workers how to scrap the dead stalks of tomato plants, Masri said there were no other decent jobs to be had in the area.