1869.] THE ROSE. 7 



moisture, and more benefited by being rendered incohesive and 

 porous, may receive manure less decomposed than more pulverised 

 soils require. Again, the season when manure is applied is also a 

 material circumstance. In spring and summer the object is to pro- 

 duce an immediate effect, and it should, therefore, be more completely 

 decomposed than may be necessary when it is laid on in autumn, for 

 a crop whose condition will be almost stationary for several months. 

 It was my custom for many years to apply a good covering of long 

 fresh manure to my Rose-trees towards the end of November, and to 

 dig it in about the end of March ; and I am still of opinion that for 

 Rose-trees on their own roots, especially the more tender varieties, such 

 as Teas and Bourbons, and for Roses on the Manetti Stock, this system 

 is advantageous. The straw acts as a protection from frost, and the 

 manure is gradually absorbed, to the enrichment of the soil and 

 nourishment of the roots. But I have since found, that as my Roses 

 are, for the most part, on the Brier (of which I am the faithful 

 admirer, despite recent condemnations from my learned brothers, of 

 which I shall speak more fully hereafter), and do not require such 

 protection, except when recently transplanted, I obtain a more 

 satisfactory result by digging in the manure, well-decomposed, at the 

 beginning of winter, and by giving a surface-dressing, when it seems 

 most required, in the spring. 



This surface-dressing was communicated to me some years ago by 

 Mr Rivers, and it is by far the most effective which I have ever tried. 

 More recently he has published it, as follows : — " The most forcing 

 stimulant that can be given to Roses is a compost formed of horse-drop- 

 pings from the roads or stable," — (he says nothing about a fire-shovel) — 

 "and malt or kilndust, to be obtained from any malt-kiln, equal 

 quantities. This, well-mixed, should then be spread out in a bed, one- 

 foot thick, and thoroughly saturated with strong liquid manure, pour- 

 ing it over the compost gently for, say two days — so that it is gradu- 

 ally absorbed. The compost is then fit for a summer surface-dressing, 

 either for Roses in pots, in beds, or standard Roses. It should be 

 applied, say in April, and again in May and June, about an inch thick, 

 in a circle round the tree, from 12 to 18 inches in diameter. This com- 

 post is not adapted for mixing with the soil that is placed among the 

 roots, but is for a summer surface-dressing only ; and care must be 

 taken that it is not placed in a heap or ridge after it has been mixed, 

 for then fermentation is so violent that the smell becomes intolerable." 



So powerful is this confection, that I have found one application 

 quite sufficient ; and this I apply, when the Rose-buds are formed and 

 swelling, towards the end of May, or, in a late season, the beginning 

 of June. I wait for the indications of rain, that the fertilising matter 



