v MANURES 93 
he wants. In some cases it might be difficult to pro- 
cure it in small quantities, unless some manufacturer 
could be found to make it on speculation for such sale. 
If not, small Rosarians, who have difficulties with 
natural liquid manure, should combine to order it. 
A thoroughly trustworthy firm should be applied to, 
as the adage ‘‘see that you get it” applies very 
strongly to chemical manures. With many Amateurs 
price is an object: I therefore feel bound to state 
that for several years I obtained the above manure, 
made according to the formula and with guaranteed 
analysis, direct from a large firm of manufacturers 
at 9s. 6d. per cwt. And I mention without com- 
ment that I have seen it advertised at 25s. per cwt. 
A 48 flower-pot full of manure may be taken as 
1 lb., which would suffice for a square marked out 
by a six foot rod; but, with observation and care, 
the ‘rule of thumb” will soon come in and 
measurement become unnecessary. It should be 
kept in a dry place and used fresh if possible; if 
caked together let it be thoroughly crushed with 
the back of a dry shovel. I should advise another 
hoeing in preference to watering it in, as no artificial 
watering can equal the soaking power of gentle rain. 
A second and lighter dressing, carefully avoiding the 
foliage, may sometimes be given at the end of May, 
if heavy rains have occurred, or nitrate of potash, 
the most expensive item, may be used for that 
purpose. 
As a sort of summary, I suggest :-— 
That strong fresh soil, which has not been more 
than a foot below the surface of the ground, and 1s 
rich enough not to require manure at first, is the 
best of all: 
