| "How the Chinese Make Dwarf Trees" (1862):
The following method of making dwarf trees is taken
from the Scottish Farmer: --
We have all known from childhood how the Chinese cramp their women's feet,
and so manage to make them "keepers at home," but how they contrive to grow
miniature pines and oaks in flower pots for half a century has always been much
of a secret. It is the product chiefly of skillful, long-continued root pruning.
They begin at the beginning. Taking a young plant (say a seedling or cutting of
a cedar), when only two or three inches high, they cut off its tap as soon as
it has other rootlets enough to live upon, and replant it in a shallow earthen
pot or pan. The end of the tap root is generally made to rest on the bottom of
the pan, or on a flat stone within it. Alluvial clay is then put into the pot,
much of it in bits the size of beans, and just enough in kind and quantity to furnish a scanty
nourishment to the plant. Water enough is given to keep it in growth, but not enough
is given to excite a vigorous habit. So, likewise, in the application of light
and heat. As the Chinese pride themselve [sic]
also on the shape of their miniature trees, they use strings, wires and pegs, and various
other mechanical contrivances, to promote symmetry of habit, or to fashion their pets into
odd fancy figures. Then, by the use of very shallow pots, the growth of the tap roots
is out of the question; by the use of poor soil, and little of it, and little water, strong
growth is prevented. Then, too, the top and roots, being within easy reach of the gardener,
are shortened by his pruning knife, or seared with his hot iron. So the little tree,
finding itself headed on every side, gives up the idea of a strong growth, asking only for life,
and just growth enough to live and look well. Accordingly, each new set of leaves become
more and more stunted, the buds and rootlets are diminished in proportion, and at length a balance
is established between every part of the tree, making it a dwarf in all respects. In some
kinds of trees this end is reached in three or four years; in others ten or fifteen years are
necessary. Such is fancy horticulture among the Celestials. 1
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