| "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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