i88i.] MANURING AND DIGGING AMONG ROSES. 409 



This is not only the case with Roses, but with almost everything 

 else. From Apple and Pear trees down to Strawberries and Onions, 

 manure is applied in quantities which cause growths which ripen 

 badly, and are unfruitful in proportion to the over manuring. 



Almost all writers advise the liberal use of manure, and a good 

 depth of soil of as good a description as possible, in the preparing of 

 beds for Roses. We need hardly say anything here about this, as we 

 thoroughly agree with those who advocate the proper preparation of 

 the soil intended for Roses. To plant Roses on poor, thin, gravelly, 

 unenriched soil is, not to court, but to insure failure. If H.P. Roses 

 cannot stand on well-prepared soil, better plant the commonest, hardi- 

 est kinds, for no satisfaction will be derived from them otherwise. 

 But while going thus far, we are certain that heavy mulchings in 

 winter, when dug in in spring, and after-applications of manure-water- 

 ings, are disastrous evils in late, cold districts, and are some- 

 times not altogether an unmixed good even in what are considered 

 fairly good climates. It may be, indeed it is, quite different in 

 favoured localities ; but we live in a very cold, late one, and we wish 

 to give our experiences in this matter, for we know that there are many 

 similarly situated to ourselves whose Roses suffer from mistaken 

 kindness. 



Wishing to excel in the cultivation of Roses, we, on the formation of 

 what may be called our Rose-garden here, procured and studied the 

 works of the authorities on Rose-growing. We prepared our soil by 

 trenching and liberal manuring, and after the Roses were planted, 

 mulched them heavily. This course secured splendid growth, fine 

 Roses, and much satisfaction. For a year or two this went on, — winter 

 mulchings dug in in spring, and heavy manure -waterings, securing 

 ever-increasing strength and luxuriance. But a day of reckoning soon 

 came. We had walked in the light of orthodox Rose-growing, instead 

 of adapting our practice to our climate, and we suffered to the extent 

 to which we erred. Dull, cold summers came, followed by arctic winters, 

 and death thinned our Rose-beds fearfully. Even those which were 

 spared grew wofully weak, and gradually became "beautifully less.'^ 

 This happened in our regular Rose-beds. In a mixed border the Rose- 

 trees bade defiance to the elements, and waxed stronger and produced 

 finer flowers than did those of robust growth. This set us thinking, 

 and the consequence was that we resolved that henceforth no manure, 

 either liquid or solid, would be applied ; and to give the system a fair 

 trial, we lifted the whole — they were sadly needing rearrangement — 

 trenched the ground, and replanted the Roses very deeply, in order to 

 make sure of their not being killed even if they were frozen down to 

 the ground-line. The following winter, ^78-^79, proved exceptionally 

 severe, so that our " new departure '^ was put to a severe test — indeed 

 every plant was frozen to the ground-line. We would not have been 

 surprised at the usual number of deaths, considering the circumstances, 



