WINTER-FLOWERING PLANTS. 97 



ons. Better to err on the side of dryness, particularly 

 from October to March, Whenever there are indications 

 of the soil being too wet, stop syringing, but keep the 

 air of the house moist by watering the paths. The best 

 growers now use very little mulching until the days begin 

 to lengthen in February or March, the "food" given 

 being usually a top dressing every three or four weeks, 

 from October to February, of half an inch of compost, 

 consisting of two parts of well-rotted cow dung to one 

 part fresh soil, to which is added about one-tenth part 

 of pure bone dust. Frequent light stirring of the soil 

 is of advantage to admit air to the roots and assist the 

 evaporation of moisture from the soil. 



There is some difference of opinion as to the value of 

 liquid manure in Eose forcing in winter. In our experi- 

 ence we have found that it had better not be used on 

 Roses growing on the benches or in pots until about 

 February ist, when the days begin to lengthen and the 

 sun becomes brighter. In the case of Hybrid Perpetual 

 Roses growing in pots, that have been started from dried 

 off or rested plants about October 1st, which should come 

 into bloom during December and January, it is well to 

 water such plants once a week with liquid manure, so as 

 to get the best development in color and size of buds. 

 We prefer liquid manure from cow dung to all else. It 

 is perfectly safe, no matter how strong it is made, and we 

 think it is more lasting in its effects than liquid made 

 from guano or similar fertilizers. Fumigating with 

 tobacco smoke for the suppression of the Aphis (green 

 fly) should be done twice a week ; or, what will answer 

 equally well, a mulch of two or three inches of tobacco 

 stems spread on the walks or under the benches, will 

 keep off the green fly if renewed every five or six weeks. 

 Rose growers practice this method now almost entirely. 

 It is quite as effective as fumigating, and safer, as that 

 more or less discolors the buds. 



