94 



ROSES 



either by a mulch or by watering with liquid 

 manure made the colour of strong tea. For 

 many reasons the liquid is better, although 

 some growers prefer the mulch. In using 

 a liquid you know when the beds are made 

 wet, which is not the case if a mulch is on. 

 For the latter use thoroughly rotted cow 

 manure by preference. There is a fungus 

 which grows on the manure and which 

 greatly disfigures the flowers of the roses by 

 producing little black specks, the appearance 

 of which is avoided if the liquid is used. 



In the liquid a mixture of various animal 

 manures can be used — horse, sheep and cow. 

 Apply every two weeks. If cow or horse 

 manure liquid is used alone, four or five fork- 

 fuls to a barrel of water (fifty gallons) will 

 give a strong enough decoction for use in the 

 early part of the season. Of sheep manure 

 take four to six quarts of the pulverized 

 article as sold in the seed stores to a barrel 

 of water, and let stand for a couple of days 

 before use. 



About March, when the sun begins to de- 

 velop more power, mulch the beds with a 

 dressing of thoroughly spent manure, such as 

 comes from an old mushroom bed, or give 



