Gardening for Amateurs 



distance from the plants, to put large hose is put into position and left for some 

 flower pots in the holes (the flower pots time unattended is, we feel convinced from 



can be dispensed with if necessary), and 

 then to fill the flower pots or the holes 

 in the earth with water as many times as 

 is necessary to ensure that the water will 

 travel to the roots of the Roses. In this 

 way the water gets more or less warmed 

 as it percolates through the soil ; when this 



An arch covered with Rose Blush Rambler. 



system of supplying water is adopted the 

 branches and buds of the Rose bushes do 



experience, a common cause of bad attacks 

 of mildew later on in the season. 



During March and April the climbing 

 Roses should be supplied with large quantities 

 of weak liquid manure, made preferably 

 with old cow manure, but horse, pig or 

 fowl manure or even soot will do. Bedroom 

 slops, if properly diluted, are 

 as good as anything, and prob- 

 ably better than most things. 

 They should be diluted with 

 water to the extent of two or 

 three times their own bulk, but 

 if the trees are old and well 

 established there is no need 

 for any great care in dilution. 

 It is better not to use this 

 mixture often if it be soapy ; 

 although the soap would do the 

 Roses no harm, and might even 

 do them a little good, the soil 

 soon becomes greasy and un- 

 pleasant, in consequence of the 

 soap " clogging "it. 



Hoeing after Watering. 

 The day after the manure water 

 has been given to the Roses, 

 or even when they have had 

 pure water only, the soil should 

 be well hoed, so that it may 

 not " cake " on the top. The^e 

 remarks apply to light or heavy 

 loam and to clay soil, not to 

 light, gravelly soils or a very 

 dry sandy soil ; it is then 

 practically impossible to over- 

 water plants, though I do not 

 think it pays to accustom the 

 plants to being watered every 

 day, for this has the effect of 

 encouraging the roots to keep near the 

 surface instead of striking downwards. 



not suffer the chill or shock which they Roots that go deeply in such soil enable 

 experience when cold water is continuously the plants or bushes to withstand drought. 

 poured on them through a hose-pipe direct As in May the young leaves unfold and 



from the tap, or showered on them, a less 

 harmful process, through the rose of a water- 

 ing-can. 



Moistening Rose trees and bushes for a soon become large ones, to the detriment of 

 long period by means of a hose-pipe, par- the young foliage and the absolute ruin, if 

 ticularly when, as sometimes happens, the not destruction of many promising buds. 



develop so come insects and diseases. As 

 a rule at or about this time we find small 

 green caterpillars, which, if allowed to live, 



