MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 41 
except frequent stirring of the surface with a sharp-pointed 
rake. As the flowering season approaches, feeding with 
liquid cow manure should begin and should continue until 
the blooming season is over, after which all stimulation 
should cease. The liquid cow manure is conveniently pre- 
pared by adding about six pails of fresh cow manure to a 
barrel of water (fifty gallons), and allowing the mixture to 
stand a day or two before using. About one-half gallon 
of this infusion should be used for each plant and the ap- 
plication may be repeated once a week. It is safe to say that 
this is one of the most efficient fertilizers for roses and its 
continued and careful use was largely responsible for the 
splendid showing made by the rose garden during its first 
year (last season). 
The Use of Magnesium.—Although it is generally believed — 
that magnesium is poisonous to all plants, Tonk, as early 
as 1889, recommended a manure for roses containing sul- 
phate of magnesium with, however, an excess of lime. Here 
the matter rested for twenty years. In 1909, Truffant noted 
the large proportion of magnesium found in the analysis 
of roses, and stated that soils deficient in this element pro- 
duced but a weak growth of roses, but that the addition of 
magnesium salts brought about a marked increase of vigor 
and growth. The following year at the International Rose 
Conference, in Paris, the particular value of magnesium for 
roses was one of the subjects for discussion. It was declared 
to be indispensable and it was stated that it should always 
be given in the form of sulphate in doses of about five ounces 
to the square yard. 
As the result of recent experiments at the Garden, and 
the experience of at least one practical rose grower of 
national reputation, it is believed that the following prac- 
tice is correct: Attention should be called to the fact 
that all roses do not react alike, and some varieties not 
yet tested may not respond satisfactorily or may even be 
slightly injured by the magnesium. e should, there- 
fore, proceed cautiously. If plants are to be watered with 
a solution, use nitrate of magnesium at the rate of one 
ounce to the gallon. This wey be used once a week through 
the season, but if any ill effects are noted, the application 
should be discontinued. If the esium is to be applied 
dry, it is better to use finely powdered carbonate of mag- 
nesium which contains a certain amount of lime. This 
_ Should be applied at the rate of one-third of a pound to the 
square yard. No immediate effect will be noticed from the 
spoliestion, but later, increased sturdiness and consequent 
richness of foliage and blossom should result. 
