94 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE CH 
That poor soil, deficient in humus from any cause, 
must have well-rotted natural manure mixed with it, 
and even then will not be so satisfactory : 
That old, very dark, over-manured garden soil, 
which has too much humus, should be treated with 
lime or basic slag: 
That liquid manure may be applied with advantage 
in the winter, and much weaker in spring and dry 
weather : 
That nitrates, such as Nitrate of Soda, Sulphate of 
Ammonia, or Nitrate of Potash, may be sparingly 
applied in the spring, as stimulants : 
And that all other artificial manures, though I do 
not wish to decry them, may possibly be attended 
with disappointment. 
