Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-02
Pigmy Trees and Miniature Land.
SCapes.
From st. Nicholas.

From st. Nicholas
In some ways the Chinese and japanese gar
deners are the most successful of any in the
world. They can control and direct the growth
OF plants to a degree that seems really marvel
GUS until the principle upon which it is done is
known, when, as in many other matters it be-
comes quite simple.
The Chinese have such strong liking for the
grotesque and unnatural that the handiwork of
their gardeners Is not as pleasing as that of the
Japanese gardeners The Chinese understand
the dwarfng of trees; but their best work is I'm
80 directing the growth Of tree or plant that 1t
will resemble some hideous animal which is only
fit to exist in a nightmare.
The Japanese, on the contrary, are remark
able for their love of what Is beautiful and
graceful. and, consequently. ugly forms find no
favor with them. Every Japanese has a garden
II 1t be possible; but. ss space is valuable In
Japan. only the very richcan have large grounds,
and the family in moderate circumstances must
be content with garden often smaller in area
than the floor Of one of our hall bedrooms in a
narrow. city house.
Nevertheless, that small garden must contain
as many objects as the large garden, and, OF
course, the only way of accomplishing the de-
sired result is to have everything in miniature.
1t Is no uncommon thing to see whole land
scape contained in space no greater than the
top OF your dining-table There will be a noun
vain, q oUICuiHs u ldhc, IOCky EEOtCOes, W1QulnV
paths, bridges, lawns. fruit trees, shrubs and
hoWers all so artistically laid out as to resemble
nature. itself. In the lake Will swim wonderful
flmy filmed gold and silver fish, and not infre-
quently the tall form of crane will be seen
moving majestically about the tiny landscape
This seems wonderful enough; but what will
you think when say that almost the same land
soape is reproduced on SO small a scale that the
two pages OF St. Nicholas, as it lies open before
you, can cover 1t! In this case, tiny house is
added; delicate green moss takes the place OF
grass. and glass covers the lake where the water
should be. Counterfeit fish swim in the glass
lake, and false crane overlOoks the whole
scene, just as the real crane does the larger
landscape The mountain, winding walks.
bridges, and rocky grottOes are in the little
covered with dainty blossoms are in their
proper places
These trees are Of the right proportions to fit
the landscape. and they are, consequently. so
tiny that one is tempted to doubt their reality;
and more than one stranger has slvly taken the
leaves or fruit between the fingers, In order to
make sure that the dwarfs do truly live. and
are not like the fish and crane, mere counter
felts. These miniature landscapes have been
successfully brought to this country; and on one
occasion lady of San Francisco used one of
them as center-pece On the table at din
ner-party, greatly to the wonder and admiration
of her guests, who could scarcely be convinced
that the almost microscopic apples on the trees
were genuine fruit.
And now comes the questiOn-how Is the
dwarflng done7 The principle is simple The
gardener merely thwarts nature. He knows
that tt. grow properly, a tree requires sunlight.
heat. moisture. and nOurshment from the SOIL
He takes measures to let the tree have only
just enough of these to enable it to keep alive.
10 begin he takes q little Seeding or cutting
about two inches high, and cuts off it's main root
He then puts the plant in a shallow DISH with
the cut end OF the root resting against stoD
to retard it's growth by preventing nourishment
entering that way. Bits of clay the size of a
bean are put in the dish, and are so regulated
In kind and quantity as to afford the least posi-
bic food for the little roOtlets which have been
left on the poor little tree Water, heat. and
light are furnished the struggling plant in just
sufficient quantities to hold life in it without
giving it enough to thrive on. In addition. any
ambitious attempt to thrive. in spite OF these
drawbacks, Is checked by clipping with sharp
knife or soaring with red-hot iron.
After from five to fifteen years of such treat
ment, the only wonder is that the abused tree
will consent even to live, to say nothing OF