ii2 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



is the end of May and early in June; if dry, give a thorough good 

 soaking with plain soft water about twice a week. The plants also 

 appreciate gentle syringing in the evening of a hot day. Mildew 

 often results through unseasonable waterings and overdoses of artificial 

 manures, which burn the tiny rootlets. A dressing of lime and soot 

 soon after pruning is helpful; indeed, both soot and lime are not 

 sufficiently used. 



Manures. Roses are not gross feeders, but they like good food. 

 Phosphates are very important to promote abundant flowering. Bone- 

 meal, which is so rich in phosphate, is an excellent fertiliser, a light 

 sprinkling in March being very useful and lasting. Night-soil is excel- 

 lent, but must be applied with care. Make a drill at the end of May 

 down the middle of the rows, as though one were about to sow beans. 

 Pour the night-soil into the drill and return the earth. The rains will 

 wash the fertiliser to the roots. Never give liquid manure in dry 

 weather unless plain water has been previously applied. An excellent 

 manure is known as Tonk's, and should be applied early in spring 

 immediately after pruning. Hoe the ground, then sprinkle all over the 

 soil at the rate of \ Ib. to the square yard. The recipe is as follows : 



PARTS. 

 Superphosphate of lime . . .12 



Nitrate of potash 

 Sulphate of magnesia 

 Sulphate of iron . 

 Sulphate of lime . 



10 

 2 

 I 



8 



Liquid manure can be easily made by setting up a paraffin cask in 

 an out-of-the-way corner. Put a bushel of fresh cow manure into a bag, 

 tie the end up loosely, and put the bag into the cask, which should then 

 be filled with water. Give this liquid in equal proportions, and change 

 the manure every ten days or so. If sheep droppings are procurable, 

 put some in the tub in addition. Ichthemic, or fish guano, is a 

 splendid stimulant for Roses. Do not give liquid manure to weakly 

 plants, only to those in full vigour. It must not be given too early, 

 but wait until the flower-buds can be just seen or felt at the points of 

 the shoots, or gross, green-centred flowers will result. When the buds 

 are seen, an application of manure water twice a week may be given. 

 "Withhold liquid manure when the flowers show colour. After first 

 flowering a few doses are beneficial to such Roses as bloom a second 

 time. Manure water may be given to Roses in winter to their great 

 advantage. 



Mulching the surface during June and July is important. The best 

 material is the peat moss litter from a good stable. Hoe the surface 

 deeply before applying it, then lay on about three or four inches. 



Thinning and Disbudding. Pruning should be supplemented by 

 thinning the young shoots in May. Remove all that appear to crowd 

 the centre of the plant. If one growth carries three or four young 

 shoots at its end this will suffice. Growths may be entirely removed in 

 May when they appear too crowded. If variety is wanted, as well as 

 quality, put the plants closer, and retain not more than two of the best 



