But I have since found, that as my Roses are, for the most part, on the Brier (of which I am the faithful admirer, despite recent condemnations from my learned brothers, of which I shall speak more fully hereafter), and do not require such protection, except when recently transplanted, I obtain a more satisfactory result by digging in the manure, well-decomposed, at the beginning of winter, and by giving a surface-dressing, when it seems most required, in the spring.

* See the article on Agriculture, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica,' vol. ii. p. 300.

This surface-dressing was communicated to me some years ago by Mr Rivers, and it is by far the most effective which I have ever tried. More recently he has published it, as follows: - "The most forcing stimulant that can be given to Roses is a compost formed of horse-droppings from the roads or stable," - (he says nothing about a lire-shovel) - "and malt or kilndust, to be obtained from any malt-kiln, equal quantities. This, well-mixed, should then be spread out in a bed, one-foot thick, and thoroughly saturated with strong liquid manure, pouring it over the compost gently for, say two days - so that it is gradually absorbed. The compost is then fit for a summer surface-dressing, either for Roses in pots, in beds, or standard Roses. It should be applied, say in April, and again in May and June, about an inch thick, in a circle round the tree, from 12 to 18 inches in diameter. This compost is not adapted for mixing with the soil that is placed among the roots, but is for a summer surface-dressing only; and care must be taken that it is not placed in a heap or ridge after it has been mixed, for then fermentation is so violent that the smell becomes intolerable".

So powerful is this confection, that I have found one application quite sufficient; and this I apply, when the Rose-buds are formed and swelling, towards the end of May, or, in a late season, the beginning of June. I wait for the indications of rain, that the fertilising matter may be at once washed down to the roots; and it never fails to act as quinine and Guinness to the weakly, and as generous wine to the strong. During the extraordinary drought of last summer, I watched day after day - nay, week after week - with a patience worthy of that deaf old gentleman who would listen for two months to catch the ticking of a sun-dial, or of him who undertook the tedious task of teaching a weather-cock to crow; and at last, feeling sure of my shower, wheeled barrow after barrow with my own hands, not seeming to have time to call for help, over the little bridge, and distributed it as a Lord Mayor turtle to recipients more greedy than aldermen. Soon the big rain came dancing to the earth, and when it had past, 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.

If only one application of manure is considered to be expedient, I would advise a liberal supply of farmyard dung well decomposed, and that this should be dug in, or, still better (in the case of light soils particularly), left upon the surface, after the Rose-trees are pruned in March. If not dug in, I should myself be inclined to defer the fruition of this powerful diet for a month or so; that just as the lanky schoolboy, outgrowing his strength, is placed upon a regimen of boiled eggs and roast beef, Alsopp and Bass, so the Rose-trees may have " good support," these nursing-mothers of such beautiful babes, when they require it most. "It is believed," writes Morton, "by observers of nature, that plants do no injury to the soil while they are producing their stems and leaves, but that it is only when the blossom and the seed requires nourishment that the plants exhaust the soil".

Under no circumstances must manure be applied, externally or internally, when the ground is saturated with wet.

And now majora canamus ! Let us wash our faces, and part our hair down the middle, and go in, with a bow and a curtsy, as little children to dessert, among the great warriors and counsellors of Queen Rose. Let us hear what our chief English Rosarians say (would that my information included the teaching of those Rose-loving brothers over the border, for whom, as for all true gardeners, I have so much regard), on this, which I believe to be the most important topic which will occur for our consideration.

Mr Rivers, whom I have just quoted, and to whom all will readily give precedence, not only for "that good grey head, which all men know," but for 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 1 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 will be found most efficacious. Brewers' grains also form an excellent surface-dressing; they should be laid in a heap 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, in the matter. These are Mr Cant of Colchester; Mr Cranston of Hereford; Mr Francis of Hertford; Mr Keynes of Salisbury; Mr Lane of Berkhampstead; Mr Mitchell of Piltsdown; Mr George Paul, the representative of Messrs Paul & Son, Cheshunt; Mr William Paul, Waltham Cross; Mr Perkins of Coventry (a new but successful exhibitor); Mr Turner of Slough, and Messrs Wood of Maresfield. There is, of course, a very large number of other nurserymen, who grow Roses most extensively and in their fullest perfection - such as Smith of Worcester, the two firms of Dickson at Chester, Harrison of Darlington, Frettingham of Nottingham, etc. - one or more near all our cities and towns; but I have selected those who are our principal prizemen, and whose treatises and catalogues are before me.