The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1907-07-31
MANY LITTLE TREES.
Miniature Forestry Fad in Baltimore
Small Fruit and Cedars Raised.

! The fad for dwarf shrubbery has
been taken up in Baltimore. When
one goes to call on a friend in that
city one is greeted by two tiny ever
green trees which stand sentinel on
either side Of the stoop. When one en-
tiers the drawingroom there is per-
haps a tiny orange tree before the VIM
dow, and if one is asked to dine the
most dlminutive Of towering trees is
smiling at one from the center Of the
table
From the outside of the barber
shops to the windows of the most ex-
elusive residences, one sees these lit
tie trees, which are dainty enough to
grace seem fairy grove. Not only are
they outside the door, but they fill
window boxes, where the bright blos-
SONS live in the summer. OF course,
the trees used outside are the ever
green variety, but indoors one sees, be-
sides the. orange and lemon trees, min
Iiature peach. cherry, apple or ounce
trees in bloom.
A nurseryman, when asked about
the fad, said that the little trees
] have been popular for several winters.
but, with its usual conservatism, Bal
tiinore was a little late in adopting the
fad. 1t Is abroad that the small trees
are grown in perfection, The small
pines and cedars are raised In the nur-
series in the vicinity Of the city, but
j the pyramidal box, the arbor vitae and
other fancy trees are brought to this
country mostly from Holland.
i But it Is Japan that beats the, world
in raising miniature trees, and some
times specimens which are not over a
foot in height are handed down in q
family from one generation to another
The small fruit trees reach perfection
there, and, contrary to tho general idea,
the process is not mysterious art.
The trees must be taken when young
not more than year old-and the
temperature in which the plant is kept
must not be too warm In selecting a
young fruit tree or one of the decid-
uous forest trees, care must be taken
to select a healthy specimen. After
the switch has been transplanted it
should be kept in a room Of not more
than 50 degrees fahrenheit and careful
ly Watered. 1t is when the tree gets
accustomed to its new surroundings
that the first work of dwarfing is
started OF course, the very fact that
the tree is planted in a pot with a linn
tied amount of earth and nourishment
would keep it from attaining its nat
ural growth, but the tiny, stubby,
bushes are attained by tying the trunk
of the tree in knots. This is done when
the tree is. only a switch and the trunk
is pliable, the effect presenting a
gnarled and knotted appearance. How
ever. If one would rather have a
smooth trunk and it is not necessary
to have the tree so extremely low, the
effect desired can be produced by
twisting the trunk. This, a nurseryman
declares, is a more delicate task, as
great care must be taken that the tree
Is not bruised. If the branches Of these
trees are to be made into form, such
as fan, or to taper like the fir tree,
as the little Japanese trees frequently
do, the branches, too, must be knotted.
Strange as 1t, may seem, this knot
ting and twisting does not injure the
trees in the least, for it is done when
the wood is so soft and pliable that
the bark is not broken, and the cir
culation is retarded just enough to keep
the tree from growing and yet it is
kept alive. When trees begin to bud
the temperature may be raised little,
and, just as they are about to bloom
they may be placed in a room of about
rs degrees. When these ornaments are
bought at the florists they mean an
expenditure of several dollars, but with
a little patience and ordinary skill In
the amateur can have as beautiful as
sortment as his more fortunate broth
er with the conservatory.-Balt
News.