At the Paris Exhibition, Japanese horticulturists exhibited a number of dwarf trees.  There were thujas, pines, and cedars, said to be 100 to 150 years old, not higher than 18in.  Hence one can have small forests in flowerpots, and a collection of fir trees in a balcony.  Each branch as it shoots is said to be embedded in earth and retained in position by props or supports and bands.  The curvature is made at right angles, and the upper part of the branch continues to grow while the other withers and dies.  Every time a young sucker or shoot appears it is treated in the same manner.  It is by thus stopping the development and forcing the tree to take various contorted forms, that they are able to produce these curious abortions [sic].  This work has to be continued by several generations of horticulturists, if we are to believe that these small trees arrive at the great age alleged.  Whether there is anything to admire in such dwarf trees is a question of taste; but a sight of them explains the fantastic and unnatural forms of the plants which the Japanese produce on their lacquered trays, on their bronzes, and their embroideries.1

1     From The Town and Country Journal (Sydney), 29 Oct 1902, pg. 28.