THINGS THAT MATTER 63 



of this has direct contact with the roots no harm can possibly result, 

 because it is so slow acting that it will only yield up its salts when the 

 new roots actually fasten upon it and extract for themselves what 

 they need. This is a simple if not scientific way of putting it. The 

 manures incorporated with the soil yield up their active principles, 

 gradually exhausting them, and it is but common-sense practice 

 to replace them by the use of fertilisers naturally or chemically 

 produced. Of the former, Peruvian guano, fowl manures, sewage 

 manure, and some others are included, the former being without 

 doubt the most complete fertiliser. They all ought to be used with 

 caution. Besides these there are scores of proprietory preparations 

 on the market, very few of which can be accepted as special rose 

 manures, and this we can say without imputation on their fertilising 

 value. But as a matter of fact we want to advise care and dis- 

 crimination in the selection of fertilisers, for it is worse than useless 

 to fill your soil with ingredients it does not need. One ought to 

 find out what is wanted and supply that and nothing more. Too 

 much even of a good thing will sour the soil and propagate disease. 

 We mentioned that old fungoid disease known as the Red Rust, and 

 we have always held the opinion that it was brought about by the 

 frequent use of crude sewage from the night carts, and it is admitted 

 that an injudicious use of any manure or fertiliser encourages the 

 more modern Black Spot disease. Mark you, we are in no way 

 decrying fertilisers, but are only anxious to drive home our con- 

 viction that they must be discriminately selected and used with 

 great care. 



Roses in pots are benefited most by administering the food in a 

 liquid form. We prefer cow and sheep manure to any other, 

 though we alternate these with others of chemical manufacture. 

 To prepare the former we fill a canvas bag with pure droppings 

 and leave this to soak in a barrel of water, occasionally squeezing 

 it. We do not believe in strong doses and use the liquid when it 

 has the colour of weak coffee. Occasionally we give soot water ; 

 at other times dissolved superphosphate, giving at first a weekly 

 application until the plants are well showing their bloom, at which 

 stage we revert to giving it twice a week. If we vary the diet, as we 

 sometimes do, we use a dry manure, a rose manure of some repute, 

 never exceeding one teaspoonful per plant at any application. We 



