THE ROUTINE OF WORK 



31 



mal manure, from one to two years old, is, 

 where it can be obtained, the most desirable 

 of foods for the rose beds. Cow manure is 

 generally preferred, as it can be used most 

 liberally without any danger from burning. 

 Horse manure, when new, is very heating and 

 should not be used while in this condition 

 except as a winter mulch. Hog, sheep and 

 chicken manures are also very useful. The 

 last two should, however, be used sparingly. 



Of the commercial fertilisers, ground bone 

 is the most useful. This may be obtained 

 in several degrees of fineness and is often 

 given in a mixture of grades — fine bone meal, 

 medium ground bone and coarse crushed 

 bone in equal parts. This may be used 

 separately or to supplement animal manures. 

 After the beds are well dug, scatter the bone 

 on the surface until the ground is nearly 

 covered; then, with the use of a fork, it can 

 be quickly and thoroughly mixed into the 

 already fined soil. 



Nitrate of soda is one of the very best fer- 

 tilising agents we can employ if it is given 

 early in the season, and supplemented by 

 bone later. It should be scattered thinly 

 (say, about a tablespoonful to a plant) on the 



