12 Roses for Amateurs. 



top spit, which consists of good old fibrous turf, was then 

 wheeled to the farther end of the bed, and kept separate 

 on one side ; also the next spit below, so as to be at hand for 

 filling up the trench. The bottom spit was taken away as 

 useless, leaving a trench 2ft. 6in. deep. This was filled in 

 in the following manner : At the bottom was placed a layer 

 of yellow clay, some inches deep, so as to retain moisture 

 (the subsoil was gravel), on this a light covering of small 

 chalk, and then about half the sods which constituted the 

 first spit of the next trench, placed turf downwards, and 

 loosely broken up ; a thick layer 6f rotten cow manure was 

 then put on, to which was added a coating of chalk, coarsely 

 triturated. The remainder of the succeeding trench was now 

 used, broken up smaller, then the first sods, covered with 

 cow manure and fine chalk as before, and finally filled up 

 with the second spit of the following trench, the bottom spit 

 of every trench being dispensed with, to allow room for 

 clay, chalk, sods, manure, as I have described." This 

 is, of course, an expensive process, but it is the best \vay 

 where means are available. This will give a good idea of 

 what ought to be done ; but in smaller gardens and with 

 corresponding means, a much less expensive method may be 

 adopted. 



Soil, though an undoubtedly powerful factor in the culti- 

 vation of Roses, is not the only one. Without good cultiva- 

 tion, thorough digging, the incorporation of the right kind 

 of manure at the right season, and the constant watchfulness 

 in respect of the general welfare of the trees, even the 

 best of soils will not avail the Rosarian. We have grown 

 in very light soils, by dint of hard work and constant atten- 

 tion, blossoms that would not disgrace the finest stands at 

 any show. It is quite a mistake to think because a soil is 

 gravelly, chalky, or even sandy (the last a most difficult one 

 admittedly) that therefore it is not worth while making the 

 attempt. The question to ask oneself is, Can the soil be 



