275 



.AIR. RIVERS ON THE CULTURE OF THE ROSE. 



The following excellent advice to rose 

 growers, occurs in the thirtieth annual 

 issue of " Descriptive Catalogue of Roses," 

 grown for sale by Mr. Rivers, of Sawbridge- 

 worth, Herts: — 



" 1st. For a neat surface-dressing for 

 autumnal Roses, wood ashes and guano 

 have proved most excellent fertilizers, in 

 I he proportion of half a peck of guano to a 

 bushel of ashes, applying a quarter of a 

 peck of the mixture to each tree in a circle 

 of three feet in diameter round the stem, 

 and letting it remain undisturbed on the 

 surface. The ashes retain the moisture 

 from the dew and showers ; and the effect, 

 in giving a vigorous growth, with an 

 abundant crop of flowers, in the autumn, 

 has been very apparent ; this dressing 

 should be given in February. Soot, in 

 heavy cold soils, is also very good for surface 

 dressing ; this should be applied in January 

 and February, about a quart to a tree in a 

 3 feet circle, and lightly forked in, in April. 



" 2ndly. I have found night-soil, mixed 

 with the drainings of the dung-hill, or 

 even with common ditch or pond water, so 

 as to make a thick liquid, the best possible 

 manure for Roses, poured on the surface of 

 the soil twice in winter, from one to two 

 gallons to each tree. December and Janu- 

 ary are the best months ; the soil need not 

 lie stirred till spring, and then merely 

 'il two or three inches deep with the 

 prongs of a fork ; for poor soils and on 

 lawns, previously removing the turf, this 



will be found most efficacious. Brewers' 

 grains also form an excellent surface dress- 

 ing; they should be laid in a heap two or 

 three weeks to ferment, and one or two 

 large shovelfuls placed round each plant, 

 with some peat charcoal to deodorize them, 

 as their smell is not agreeable. 



"Srdly. For protecting the Bourbon, 

 Chinese, Tea-scented, and other Boa 

 their own ruots, nothing can be better than 

 moss procured from shady banks or woods. 

 It should be placed round each plant, one 

 or two inches from the stem and branches, 

 not closer ; about nine inches and a foot 

 thick. This prevents the ground from 

 being frozen; and, although the tops of the 

 shoots may be killed, they grow vigorously 

 from the root on the return of mild weather. 

 This covering may be applied early in 

 December, and remain round the plants 

 till the end of March, or even later, if a 

 cold, backward spring. 



" -ithly. Hybrid Perpetual and Bourbon 

 Roses, bloom much more abundantly in 

 autumn if they are removed annually in 

 November, particularly in poor soils un- 

 favourable to Roses. They may be re- 

 planted nearly or quite in the same places, 

 giving to each plant a shovelful of rotten 

 manure, which should be mixed with the 

 soil in filling in. The annual removal is 

 absolutely necessary for Roses on the 

 Manetti stock in poor light soils, for, un- 

 less they are removed, they cease to bloom 

 freely in autumn." 



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GAS HEATING— HOW TO REGULATE THE SUPPLY. 



I suppose W. W's. want of success with 

 gas stoves arises from the irregular supply 



of gas from the gas works. I have a 



regulator in use which answers well in my 

 small way, and have no doubt it would bo 

 advantageous to many of your readers, 

 who heat by means of gas. It cost me 

 only four shillings, and is merely a small 

 gas-holder with a rod fixed to the top, 

 and attached to the gas-tap. The appa- 

 ratus is placed between the gas-tap and the 

 burner. The gas-holder being adjusted 

 according to the supply of gas required. 



If a greater volume of gas passes the 

 tap than is necessary, the rod rises and 

 moves the tap handle, which partially 

 turns off the gas ; if not sufficient gas, the 

 rod descends and turns on more. 



If you or W. W. would like to see my 

 regulator, and will make allowances for the 

 rough workmanship of an amateur, and 

 will favour me by a call, I shall be happy 

 to show it, or give any further information 

 you may require. 



M. Maltby. 



5, Springfield Terrace, Grove Hill, 

 Camberwell. 



