i54 THE ROSE BOOK 



manure is put in the Infuser, which is suspended in a cask 

 of water, and in two days clear liquid is available that 

 may be drawn off by a tap. When exhausted, the sedi- 

 ment can be emptied out to dry in the sun, when it may 

 be used for potting purposes. The amateur who keeps 

 a few fowls or pigeons will find that this infuser pro- 

 vides excellent liquid manure. Farmers having the use 

 of sheep-droppings can grow roses second to none. If 

 necessary to use artificial manures, such as Clay's Fer- 

 tilizer, Ichthemic Guano, or Wakeley's Hop Manure, 

 this infuser helps one to prepare an excellent liquid. 

 The ground should be moist before manure is applied, 

 and for this reason it is best given after rain, but if 

 no rain comes then water the ground a day before with 

 plain water. 



To established roses natural liquid manure can 

 scarcely be given too strong, but artificial manures must 

 be used cautiously. When roses are planted in lines, 

 liquid manure is best applied in drills drawn along each 

 side within about five inches of the base of the plants. 

 Night soil made into liquid form and poured in such 

 drills is used by many of the large trade growers, and 

 accounts for the huge blooms seen at the shows. 



Maiden Plants. — When more experienced, the ama- 

 teur should grow a few maiden roses each year. To 

 obtain these, brier cuttings and seedling briers are 

 planted out and such varieties as are best as maidens 

 are budded upon them. WTien I say fully three-fourths 

 of the blooms shown by trade growers are cut from 

 maiden plants, the reader will appreciate the import- 



