9o GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



most convenient. In our own practice we use the cow 

 manure in preference to bone dust. It is perhaps best to 

 let the sod be well-rotted before being used, although, if 

 this be not convenient, it will do fresh, if well chopped up. 



DISTANCE TO PLANT. 



The distance for Roses such as I describe, (those 

 that have been grown in six-inch pots, and averaging 

 twenty inches high,) should be one foot each way, so as 

 to get the full benefit of a crop by January. It is true 

 that, if planted twice that distance, they would be thick 

 enough before spring; but they would not fill up suffi- 

 ciently until the middle of January, if planted much wider 

 than one foot. The temperature at which Roses are 

 grown in winter is an average of 55 to 60 degrees at 

 night, with 10 to 15 degrees higher during the day. 



WATERING AND MULCHING. 



Watering is a matter of the first importance, and 

 requires some experience to know what is the proper 

 condition. As a guide, whenever the soil shows indica- 

 tions of being dry on the top, a thorough watering should 

 be given, sufficient to completely saturate the soil. Such 

 a watering will not usually be required more than once 

 in two weeks. Syringing may be done once a day, 

 sufficient only to moisten the foliage, and often this 

 will be all the watering the Roses require, as getting the 

 soil too wet is certain to destroy the crop. 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. Three or four inches of 



