GARDENING FOR LITTLE GIRLS 



nearly to the top with water. After this has sunk 

 in, add the rest of your rich top soil, and pack 

 down hard with your foot, so as to shut out the air 

 from the roots, leaving the packed earth at least 

 an inch below the surrounding surface to catch 

 and hold the moisture. 



Potted roses, however, should be sunk with as lit- 

 tle disturbance to the roots as possible. 



Then over the smoothly raked surface of the 

 bed spread leaves, litter or grass clippings, to 

 keep the sun from drying out the earth. Some 

 gardeners for this purpose cover the bed with pan- 

 sies, English daisies, and similar low flowers, though 

 many like better to see nicely cultivated soil. 



To have splendid roses, however, you must sup- 

 ply plenty of food and drink! "When the buds 

 start, dig in around the roots every two weeks, two 

 tablespoonfuls of bonemeal, and wet thoroughly. 

 Manure from the chicken house is especially good 

 as the chickens are meat eaters, and it is, there- 

 fore, better adapted to the needs of the roses and 

 easily absorbed by the rootlets. But use carefully — 

 not more than a small trowelful at a timic, and that 

 well mixed with the soil. One of the very best foods 

 is cheaply made as follows : 



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