CHAPTER V 



MANURES 



"Manuees" may seem an misavom:y subject to 

 those lovers of the Rose who only know of the 

 flowers as seen in the garden or after they are cut ; 

 but to the Rose-nurses, under whose constant care 

 each shoot grows onwards to the perfect bloom, it is 

 as important a matter as the food of a babe is to its 

 mother. The Rose enthusiast, for whom I write, 

 has no objection to exploring the recesses of a muck 

 heap — he rejoices in the discovery of a dead well of 

 really good stuff— and wonders much how others can 

 find any objection to the wholesome and invigorating 

 fragrance from a big watercart full of the drainings 

 of a cow-shed. 



The Rose is said to be a gross feeder, but this does 

 not seem a satisfactory statement, for though it will 

 take and absorb, and "answer to treatment" as 

 doctors say, in the reception of large quantities of 

 strong manure, yet is it fastidious in the manner of 

 its application. The roots of the same plant which 

 when strong and well established will rejoice in 

 fairly strong liquid mairure, will, when that plant is 

 moved in November, become sickly and perhaps die 



