80 THE BOOK OP THE ROSE OHAP. 



is always much stronger than the first and will not 

 require further encouragement which might make 

 the plants grow too late and fail to ripen properly. 

 If we put on liquid manure in the winter, no doubt 

 a good deal of its virtue is washed away before the 

 roots can feed on it ; but some of it will remain, 

 and I think it is always worth doing. At. that time 

 it may be supplied much stronger and more concen- 

 trated than in the summer without fear of harm. 



As to the manner of application, it may be put on 

 by water-pot, pail, or hose, or whatever is quickest, 

 provided it soaks in. Unfortunately the surface of 

 the soil is often such that the wash and dash close 

 the pores of the earth, and the liquid for the 

 moment cannot penetrate but runs 'off. Where 

 much watering with liquid manure is contemplated, 

 or imder any circumstances where the natural soil 

 is light and porous and the drainage good, it is best 

 to have the surface of the beds below the general 

 level of the ground ; the whole can then be flooded, 

 as it were. If, however, the beds are somewhat 

 raised, and the liquid runs off, there is nothing for 

 it but patience ; a little at a time, and come back 

 again and again to the same place. 



In early spring we may sometimes find an 

 occasion, in a light frost, when just the crust of the 

 surface is sufficiently frozen to prevent the wash of 

 the particles, and the pores remain open ; at such 

 times, on my beds, the liquid will sink in at once as 

 through a sieve as long as you like to pour it on. 

 Given the time, and plenty of good stuff, a large 

 amount and depth of soil may be fertilised on such 

 opportunities. 



Two good rules for watering with liquid manure 



