162 PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



cms. 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-rooted 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 evapor- 

 ation of moisture from the soil. 



There is some difference of opinion as to the value of 

 liquid manure in Rose forcing in winter. In our expe- 

 rience, we have found that it had better not be used on 

 Roses growing on the benches until about February 1st, 

 when the days begin to lengthen and the sun becomes 

 brighter. In the case of Hybrid Perpetual Roses grow- 

 ing 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 by renewing it every five or six weeks. Rose growers 

 practice this method now almost entirely, as it is quite as 

 effective and safer than fumigating, as that less or aore 

 discolors the buds. 



