THE ROSE GARDEN. 29 



course of years, impoverish the soil as regards its inorganic constituents, and yet 

 leave it rich in vegetable matter. Thus, we think, every two or three years a 

 dressing of chalk, lime, soot, or like substances, would prove highly beneficial to 

 the beds of the Rosarium. 



But let it be remembered, that if the soil is wet manures are of little value : 

 often, indeed, they sour in the soil, and are worse than useless. In all such cases, 

 then, the first effort must be to lay the soil dry. After this, add such manures as 

 the character of the soil may point out as likely to prove most beneficial. Animal 

 and vegetable manures of all kinds may be used, but not in a fresh state ; they 

 should be well pulverised : for Roses, though delighting in a rich soil, dislike 

 green manures more than most plants. In heavy soils a good dressing of chalk, 

 peat, burnt earth, or sand may be used ; not to the preclusion of, but in addition 

 to, the animal or vegetable manures. In light soils, especially such as are of a 

 gravelly or sandy nature, stiff loam may be applied to advantage. These 

 substances may be thrown on the surface of the beds with the usual manures, and 

 forked in at the same time. 



We would remark here that stable manure, which is excellent in most cases, 

 and the kind in general use for Roses, is not of the best description for light soils. 

 Its tendency is to render them still lighter ; and if it can be dispensed with, we 

 think it desirable to do so. Manures should be applied here in a more concen- 

 trated form. Cow-dung is excellent, especially for the Tea-scented Roses ; and 

 pigeon-dung, rabbit-clung, and night-soil, are all great improvers of light soils. 

 The unpleasantness attending the preparation and use of night-soil may in a great 

 measure be done away with by pursuing the following plan. A basin, or reser- 

 voir, should be formed on the ground, to hold a given quantity. In the bottom of 

 this, loam may be thrown, heavy or light, turfy or not, as may be at our com- 

 mand, or whichever is thought best suited to the character of the soil we intend 

 to manure. Upon this the night-soil is lowered from the cart, and a sufficient 

 quantity of loam thrown in to absorb the whole. The heap should then be 

 covered over closely with a layer of earth, about a foot thick, and remain closed 

 for about six months. It may then be broken up, more or less, according to its 

 state, mixing dry soil, or ashes, or burnt earth with it in the operation, and« 

 casting it up in ridges. About a month afterwards it may be turned over again, 

 that the night-soil may be well mixed with the loam. In spring or autumn it 

 may be carried to the places where required, and forked in as other manures ; or 

 it may be scattered over the beds immediately after they are forked in spring, 

 when it will be washed down by the rains. We cannot conceive of any descrip- 

 tion of manure to surpass this, applied in the latter manner, to Roses on light soils. 

 By its use, we administer at the same time a cool and rich fertilizer, and a sub- 

 stance calculated to be of permanent benefit to the soil. 



It may be thought that guano should be a good manure for Roses on cold and 

 poor soils. It probably might prove so if used sparingly, and in conjunction with 

 vegetable manures. I do not, however, think guano the best thing for Roses in 



" (Dfe. I.) /3 



