82 



THE BOOK OF THE ROSE 



CHAP. 



the roots, rising gradually through stem and leaves to 

 its maximum in the flowers. This looks as if, in the 

 growing season, the potash is drawn by the buds from 

 the leaves, the wood, the roots, and the soil. For the 

 plant lives for the Rose, as the mother for her unborn 

 babe : no sooner does the bud exist in its most embryo 

 form on the shoot than the stem and the leaves give all 

 their powers to it, and send fresh calls to the roots for 

 supplies for them to pass on. This seems to point to 

 nitrate of potash as a useful extra dressing about the end 

 of May, if the soil has been much washed by heavy rains. 



Iron is present in but small quantities, highest in the 

 stem and lowest in the flowers. Sulphate of iron is said 

 to give a better colour to the foliage, and in some sorts, 

 such as Anna Olivier, to the bloom as well, but I 

 do not place much reliance on it. In fact I have some- 

 times omitted the iron from the formula below, for the 

 small quantities cause a good deal of trouble to the 

 makers, but it should be remembered that every one of 

 the constituents is necessary, or the others are by so 

 much rendered valueless ; so perhaps it had better be 

 included though most soils and natural manures have 

 it in sufficient quantity. 



The following is the mixture recommended by Mr. 

 Tonks for the Rose, as deduced from the ash analysis : I 

 have had it made up for me for years, and believe it to 

 be excellent, not only in theory, but also in practice 

 and fact : — 



Superphosphate of lime, 12 parts. 

 Nitrate of potash, 10 parts. 



Sulphate of magnesia, 2 parts. 

 Sulphate of iron, 1 part. 



Sulphate of lime, 8 part s. 



33 parts. 



