Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-04-22

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DWARF TREEs.-The following dcscrip-
ton of the manner in which the Chinese
make dwarf trees, is an n;imation of their
pains-takinc in horticulture: :" We have
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 Aower-pots for half a century has
always been much of a secret. 1t is the
product chiefly of skillful, long continued
root pruning. They begin at the begin
ming. Taking young plant (say seed
ling or the cutting Of CEDAR when only
two or three inches high, they cut off its
tap-root as soon as it has other rootle;s
enough to live upon. and replant in shall
low pot or pan. The end of the tap-root
is generally made TO rest upon the bottom
of pan, or on a fiat stone within it. Al
luvial 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 vigorous
habit. So Likewise in the application of
light and heat Then, too, the top and
roots, being within easy reach of the gar
dener, are shortened by the pruning knife
or scared with his hot iron. So the little
tree, finding itself headed on every side,
gives up the idea of strong growth, asking
only for life, and just growth enough to
live and look we'll Accordingly each new
set of leaves become more and more stint.
ed, the buds and rootets are diminished in
proportion, and at length balance is cs.
tablished between every part Of the tree,
making it 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.
On EGGs.-We are indebted to the
Country Gentleman for the following arti-
tcle, written by one who has for several
years been a regular and highly priced
contributor to the columns of that excel.
lent paper Mr.. Thompson is gentleman
of large experience in all branches of Ag-
riculture and Horticulture, a thorough
practical writer, and the many articles
which are written by him are replete with
valuable hints and instructions
"Your correspondent b. F. S. page 600,
Sept p, 1870, asks How many eggs one
hundred hens ought to produce y | sup
pose he means in year.
"Let NE tell him that one hundred
head-say ninety six hens, with four cocks,
Leghorn, Dominiques, or any good young
stock-will give him from ten thousand to
fifteen thousand eggs per year; that is
If they have good range and are well
cared for. They must have feed by them.
so they can help themselves, with plenty
Of clean water in summer and winter clean
and comfortable quarters, especially in
winter; pounded shells, or lime, gravel
DC. As to feed We allow one bushcl
sound grain Per head per annum.
THE secret of success in securing 4
large stock of eggs. Is this: Have your
chicks hatched in February or March.
Leghorn chicks will Iay when four months
old Brahmas when FIVE or TX month.
old. Now. as they 10 Do, m oul, until the
second autumn after they are ha,ched. you
can see, by counting time. how it i, that
early hatebed chick. have the advantage
over those late ha,ched