MANURES 95 



when it had passed, and I smoked my evening 

 weed among the Rose-trees, I fancied that already 

 the tonic had told. At all events, it is written in 

 the chronicles of the Rose-shows how those Roses 

 sped. 



Again, Mr. Rivers, whom I have just quoted, and 

 to whom we must still give precedence, remembering 

 what he has done in the Rosarium, writes : 'I have 

 found night-soil, mixed with the drainings of the 

 dunghill, or even with common ditch or pond water, 

 so as to make a thick liquid, the best possible 

 manure for Roses, poured on the surface of the 

 soil twice in winter, from i to 2 gallons to each 

 tree: December and January are the best months: 

 the soil need not be stirred till spring, and then 

 merely loosened 2 or 3 inches deep with the prongs 

 of a fork. For poor soils, and on lawns, previously 

 removing the turf, this v/ill be found more efficacious. 

 Brewers' grains also form an excellent surface- 

 dressing: they should be laid in a heap for two 

 or three weeks to ferment, and one or two large 

 shovelfuls placed round each plant, with some peat- 

 charcoal to deodorise them, as the smell is not 

 agreeable.' 



I will quote in alphabetical sequence the other 

 distinguished public Rosarians who have expressed 

 their opinions, or proved their skill at all events, 



