96 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES. 



observers of nature, that plants do no injury to 

 the soil while they are producing their stems and 

 leaves, and that it is only when the blossom and 

 the seed require nourishment that the plants 

 exhaust the soil." 



A very effective surface-dressing was commu- 

 nicated to me some years ago by Mr. Rivers, who 

 afterwards 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- 

 shovel), " and malt or kiln-dust, to be obtained 

 from any malt-kiln, equal quantities. This, well 

 mixed, should then be spread out in a bed one 

 foot thick, and thoroughly saturated with strong 

 liquid manure, pouring it over the compost gently 

 for, say, two days — so that it is gradually absorbed. 

 The compost is then fit for a summer surface- 

 dressing, either for Roses in pots, in beds, or 

 standard Roses. It should be applied, say, in 

 April, and again in May and June, about an inch 

 thick, in a circle round the tree, from 12 to i8 

 inches in diameter. This compost is not adapted 

 for mixing with the soil that is placed among the 

 roots, but is for a summer surface-dressing only ; 

 and care must be taken that it is not placed in a 

 heap or ridge after it lias been mixed, for then 



