96 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES. 



condition will be almost stationary for several months. It 

 was my custom for many years to apply a good covering 

 of long fresh manure to my Rose-trees towards the end of 

 November, and to dig it in about the end of March ; and I 

 am still of opinion that for Rose-trees on their own roots, 

 especially the more tender varieties, such as Teas and 

 Bourbons, and for Roses on the Manetti stock, this system 

 is advantageous. The straw acts as a protection from frost, 

 and the manure is gradually absorbed, to the enrichment 

 of the soil and nourishment of the roots. But I have since 

 found, that as my Roses are, for the most part, on the Brier 

 (of which I am the faithful admirer, despite recent condem- 

 nations from my learned brothers, of which I shall speak 

 more fully hereafter), and do not require such protection, 

 except when recently transplanted, I obtain a more satisfac- 

 tory result by digging in the manure, well decomposed, at 

 the beginning of winter, and by giving a surface-dressing, 

 when it seems most required, in the spring. 



A very effective surface-dressing was communicated to 

 me some years ago by Mr Rivers, and he has since published 

 it, as follows : " The most forcing stimulant that can be 

 given to Roses is a compost formed of horse-droppings 

 from the roads or stable" (he says nothing about a fire- 



