Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-11-02

feet high and was trained for two
years by Shichirohei of Toxic, an eX-
pert tree trainer. Unlike most speci-
mems, which were reproductions OF
some plants existing, this plant was
trained to represent in every detail a
painting by perhaps the most famous
Japanese artist that ever lived, Korin
1t was obtained from the private col
lection of Count Okuma of Toxic, who
valued II highly, but yielded to the
solicitations of Mr.. kushibiki, and al
lowed 1t to come to this country. In
the spring ii produced white, bell
shaped. small flowers, with fragrant
odor. and in late fall the leaves turned
a beautiful red.
Two Chabo Hiba plants of the Ne
gard style, about foot and half
high and go years old, were especially
interesting. Although most of the
roots were exposed. The branches of
the one falling to one side, the second
plant springs from the centre of the
pyramid formed by the roots of the
first. it's branches falling the other way,
thus making graceful, picturesque
and balanced whole. Such skill and
training demonstrated in this place
can scarcely be surpassed. These
plants had the beBefit of training by
the gardener Heisaku, Of Toxic.
Another Chabo Hiba was by long
odds the most interesting of all those
exhihited-at least from the viewpoint
of history and great age. The anthem
tic history of this famous Chabo Hiba
dates from the middle of the twelfth
century. the beginning of the Kama
kura period, when the art of gardening
received Il great impulse at the hands
of the Buddhist priests. In one of the
kamakura temples it was guarded
with all the care that could possibly be
given to 1t.
Through the Shotgun Regency and all
the history-making times of Japan this
plant was preserved as carefully as
any heirloom could possibly be. A
long time before the downfall of the
Shotgun one family of Tagaki of Toxic
were appointed by the Shotgun as gar
deners in charge of the garden Of the
temple. At the downfall of the Sho-
gun, about thirty-three years ago, 1t
passed into Mr.. Tagaki's possession.
The height of this marvellous tree is a
little over six feet, the diameter of the
trunk Is about one foot--a graceful
conical shape.
A marvellous specimen was n crepe
myrtle. PIG years old. and apparently
the upright trunk was dead. In direct
contradiction of this, however, are the
various branches that shoot out in all
directions, and which are covered with
leaves and will blossom and bloom
beautifully in the summer. 1t is SO
sensitive that IL human fingers touch
the trunk the whole tree quivers. Count
Okuma. after much persuasion, was
induced to part with this beautiful
specimen.
In the cultivation of their limited
specialties the Japanese florists are
said TO distance those of any other
country. Dwarfting. enlargement
rariegation of leaf and petal. the en-.
enlargement of freaks by careful arti.
3cial selection-these are the special.
ties of the natives Of Nippin, which
have been perfected by the hereditary
patience, tact and labor Of thousand
years.
The lick plant, or Japanese larch, is
peculiarly pliable, strong of root and
easy to bend and train into any shape
desired. In Japan IL Is customary 10
see the work of the Japanese gardener
set out in gardens. the effect being
uulQue, Oltch iuiihth- ~ ulSud%eTIe Oh
painfully grotesque animals and birds
which to the japanese is representa-.
ton of high art and means of con.
graduation when gardener succeeds in
bringing out some curious designs as
yet unthought of by his competitors
Many of the public gardens of Japan
are decorated with lex. and in some
towns prizes are offered to the garden.
err who designs the most remarkable
figures and train the plant to bring oEi
all its finest lines.