106 
THE FLORIST. 
Finally, let nurserymen, amateurs, or careless Rose growers well 
weigh the above, and at once adopt any hint herein that seems to be 
good, and then we may hope that this national flower, too long neglected, 
and too little understood, will not produce such general disappointment, 
but.“bud and blossom like the Rose; ” I mean, in a manner worthy 
of the “ Queen of flowers,” which is not only beautiful in bud and 
blossom, but beautiful in deformity, and even in decay! 
W. F. Radclyffe. 
Rector of Rushton , Blandford , Dorset. 
MAY I GIVE MY CONIFERS GUANO? 
When I am asked this question, my reply is, “most certainly you 
may, and with the best results.” Indeed, there is hardly a plant 
(probably not one) to which this invaluable manure may not be applied 
beneficially, if the application is made with proper precaution, and at 
the right time. 
To discuss this subject fully would occupy much time and space, 
neither of which I can at present command, but I am desirous of 
recording a few practical results in direct reply to the question at the 
head of this article. The information will, I have no doubt, be of use 
to some of the readers of the Florist , because it is yet believed by 
many that guano is detrimental to Coniferous as well as to numerous 
other plants. 
Two or three years since, a gentleman, who is a great lover of 
Conifers, determined to test the efficacy of guano as a stimulant to 
various specimens in his grounds. The rate of growth for the summer 
was carefully noted, as well as that of the following year, when no 
guano was given. The difference was very marked. I have not the 
notes by me, but I recollect that some of the plants assisted by the 
stimulant pushed shoots more than double the length of those made in 
the following year when no guano was applied. 
It will possibly be asked,—what quantity was given to each plant, 
and when ? The application commenced as soon as vegetation became 
active, and was continued at intervals until the season’s growth was 
completed, and it was given in a liquid form. To those who are novices 
in the use of guano, the following hints may be necessary :—Procure an 
old tub—a tar barrel is as good as anything,—throw into it half 
a dozen pounds of the manure, fill up with water, and stir till the whole 
is dissolved. In a few days the liquid will have become perfectly clear. 
Take a portion of it, reduce with soft water to about the colour of pale 
sherry, and it is fit for use. Apply it at intervals of about ten days. 
After two or three applications, if a plant is thoroughly healthy and 
vigorous, the manure may be given a little stronger than is recom¬ 
mended above, but take care never to err on the strong side of the 
question, or the worst results may follow ; rather apply often and much 
diluted than give it too strong. I have seen vigorous plants, other than 
Conifers, killed by too strong a dose. Used judiciously, it is an invalu- 
