94 THE BOOK OF THE ROSE < h. v 



That poor soil, deficient in humus from any cause, 

 must have well-rotted natural manure mixed with it, 

 and even then will not be so satisfactory : 



That old, very dark, over-manured garden soil, 

 which has too much humus, should be treated with 

 lime or basic slag : 



That liquid manure may be applied with advantage 

 in the winter, and much weaker in spring and dry 

 weather : 



That nitrates, such as Nitrate of Soda, Sulphate of 

 Ammonia, or Nitrate of Potash, may be sparingly 

 applied in the spring, as stimulants : 



And that all other artificial manures, though I do 

 not wish to decry them, may possibly be attended 

 with disappointment. 



