AMONGST THE ROSES 53 



are greatly improved by the admixture of road 

 scrapings ("road sand "), wood ashes or leaf mould. 

 Roses delight in ground which is retentive of 

 moisture rather than otherwise, but like nearly 

 all other plants will not thrive in soils which do 

 not allow the rain to pass away readily from their 

 roots. Where the soil or subsoil is waterlogged, 

 the ground should be properly drained before the 

 planting of roses is attempted. Farmyard manure 

 partially decayed is recommended for most soils, 

 while soils that are heavy are best treated with 

 horse-manure, and for the light, cow-manure. A 

 dressing of half, or quarter-inch bones may with 

 great advantage be also added to the soil when 

 preparing beds for the reception of roses. 



This society now numbers nearly three thousand 

 members, testimony to the national love of the 

 rose, which we are thankful is extending — a whole- 

 some influence in these days of unseemly hurry 

 and intense competition. The influence of garden- 

 ing brings into play the sweeter attributes of 

 man's nature, and the rose plays a great part in 

 this beneficent and righteous work. 



And how interesting it is to seek out the 

 beginnings of the great work which has sprung up 

 in our gardens, a work which is still developing 



