1 6 THE BOOK OF ROSES 



An excellent formula for an all-round chemical manure 

 for the Rose is that given to the National Rose Society 

 by Mr Tonks, and proved by subsequent experiment. It 

 consists of 12 parts of superphosphate of lime, 10 

 parts of nitrate of potash, 2 parts of sulphate of 

 magnesia, I part of sulphate of iron, and 8 parts 

 of sulphate of lime. These ingredients should be finely 

 crushed and mixed together, the blend being sprinkled 

 over the beds in spring at the rate of about a quarter 

 of a pound per square yard, on a surface previously 

 hoed and should be lightly hoed in. A good shower 

 of rain to wash it into the soil is preferable to 

 watering by hand. The manure should be kept in 

 a dry place, but if in spite of this it cakes it should be 

 well pulverised and crushed before scattering. At the 

 end of May another light dressing of the manure may 

 be given, care being taken that the foliage is not 

 injured. 



Dr Griffiths recommends as a liquid manure the 

 following formula. Dissolve half an ounce of super- 

 phosphate of lime, and a quarter of an ounce each of 

 sulphate of ammonia and sulphate of iron in two gallons 

 of water, and apply this quantity to each tree once a 

 week during May and June. Once a week during the 

 last week in May and the whole of June, sulphate of 

 ammonia and nitrate of soda, quarter of an ounce of 

 each to a gallon of water, may be given. Neither of 

 these should be continued after June, but the natural 

 liquid manures and soot-water returned to. 



Guano is a useful but dangerous manure, its danger 

 lying in the fact that it is extremely apt to encourage 

 leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Half a pound of 

 it forked in round the roots of each tree early in April 

 will be found useful. Many other materials are used 

 as manure for Roses, such as blood, fresh or dried; 

 bone dust -, brewers' grains ; malt dust ; hops ; etc., but 



