MANURES 97 



a sure confidence : ' I have found, after repeated 

 trials for some years, that pig-dung is the best of 

 all manures for Roses ; next night-soil, cow-dung, 

 and horse-dung. These should stand in a heap from 

 one to three months, but not sufficiently long to 

 become exhausted of their ammonia and salts. 

 Pig-dung should be put on the ground during 

 winter or early spring, and forked in at once. In 

 using night-soil, mix with burnt earth, sand, charcoal- 

 dust, or other dry substance. Apply a small portion 

 of the mixture to each plant or bed during winter, 

 and let it be forked in at once. Soot is a good 

 manure, especially for the Tea-scented and other 

 Roses on their own roots; so are wood-ashes and 

 charcoal. Bone-dust or half-inch bones forms an 

 excellent and most lasting manure. Guano and 

 superphosphate of lime are both good manure for 

 Roses, but require to be used cautiously.' 



Mr. Keynes of Salisbury recommended ^ a good 

 wheelbarrowful of compost — two-thirds good turfy 

 loam, and one-third well-decomposed animal manure.' 

 He adds — and the words of one whose Roses, in a 

 favourable season, could not be surpassed in size 

 or colour, should be remembered practically — * It is 

 difficult to give the Rose too good a soil.' 



Mr. Lane of Berkhampstead writes thus : ' The 

 best method of manuring beds is to dig in a good 



