76 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE chap. 



in a light frost, when just the crust of the surface is 

 sufficiently frozen to prevent the wash of the particles, 

 and the pores remain open ; at such times, on my beds, 

 the liquid will sink in at once as through a sieve as 

 long as you like to pour it on. Given the time, and 

 plenty of good stuff, a large amount and depth of soil 

 may be fertilised on such opportunities. 



Two good rules for watering with liquid manure or 

 plain water are -.—Firstly, mind it is done thoroughly ; 

 be sure vou give a good soaking while you are about 

 it ; remember " an inch of rain " means nearly five 

 gallons to the square yard, and always do a little space 

 at a time satisfactorily and fully rather than a mere 

 wetting over a large extent. 



And secondly, be sure that the surface is always 

 stirred by the hoe as soon as possible after every 

 soaking, whether it be the natural one of rain or the 

 artificial one of water or liquid manure. This is most 

 imiDortant; when the sun shines on the thoroughly 

 soaked ground in summer it is sure to cause it to 

 crack, often before the top is quite dry ; as soon as you 

 can work it, get just the surface dry again and as fine 

 and powdery as possible with the hoe, for this keeps 

 the moisture in, whereas the cracks allow it to escape. 



Soap water from a laundry has some value as a 

 liquid manure, though too much may render the land 

 sour. And though not sufficient for Roses by itself, 

 it is a capital thing to use mixed with other liquid which 

 may be considered too strong. It is well in this case to 

 be specially guarded against the dregs, a greasy scum 

 which chokes the soil pores, and also to remember that 

 nothing smells nastier than soapsuds which have stood 

 for three or four days, especially in a hot sun. Amateur 

 Inspectors of Nuisances are not always aware of this. 



