270 AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY. 



banks of Middle and Northern Japan, but much more rare in 

 the South. The double variety was imported into Europe during 

 the last century, while the single form has come to us only recently. 



In May, the magnificent blossoms of the Botan {Pceonia Moiitan, 

 Sims.) appear ; also those of the Fuji ( Wistaria chinensis, S. and Z.), 

 the Kiri {Pauloivftia imperialism S. and Z.) and the Tsutsuji {^Azalea 

 indica^ L.). The last of these four ornamental plants is the most 

 extensively cultivated and popular. The red-blossomed variety pre- 

 dominates, especially in a wild state. In the spring, in company 

 with Deutzia, it adorns not merely the uncultivated sunny slopes 

 all through Japan, and likewise China, but is found in almost every 

 garden. It blooms in April, on Kiushiu (and is used very much 

 for decorating graves, its blossoming branches being placed in 

 bamboo vases); in Middle Hondo, in May ; and still farther north, 

 and higher up in the mountains, not till June. A large number of 

 kindred species, among them some of great fragrance, must be 

 reckoned with them, some of which have been transplanted into 

 gardens. Among these are the Rhododendron (Azalea) macrO' 

 stemon, Maxim., R. ledifoliiim, Don., R. sublanceolatnm, Miq., R. 

 macrosepalum^ Maxim., R. sinense^ Sweet, and several others. 



The noble blossoms of several kinds of Iris delight the lovers of 

 flowers in June — particularly the Hana-shobu (^Iris Icevigata, Fisch.) 

 and Ayame {Iris setosa^ Pall, and /. sibricia, L.). A speciality is 

 made of their cultivation in several places in the neighbourhood of 

 Tokio. There are low-lying open fields, e.g.^ near Meguro, and 

 especially on the left bank of the Sumida-gawa at Hori-kiri, 

 which, toward the end of the month, are all a-bloom with them ; 

 and many who delight in flowers, who wandered out to Mukojima, 

 in April, to enjoy the blossoming Sakura, now pass on by the long 

 avenue of these trees to Hori-kiri to admire the flowering Shobu 

 (Hana-shobu). When this season is over, and the summer heat 

 has reached its greatest height, in July, then comes another, and 

 more esteemed favourite, the lotus-flower, Hasu-no-hana, or Renge 

 {Nelumbo nucifera, Gaertn.).^ Mention has already been made of the 

 edible, long-branched roots and nut-like seeds of this the most in- 

 teresting and splendid of water plants. It only remains to note its 

 significance in the worship of Buddha, and as an ornamental plant. 

 Its original home was without doubt the Indian monsoon district, 

 and its cultivation and estimation very ancient. It was formerly, 

 together with the fishes and turtles in sacred tanks, dedicated to 

 ^'iva, who, according to an old Indian legend, sat upon its leaves 

 looking on when the great flood swallowed up everything. Bud- 

 dhism took it later as the symbol of its teachings. As it lifts up 

 its buds out of the slimy ground to a greater or less height above 

 the water, unfolding its beautiful leaves and flowers, on whose spot- 

 less petals no traces are to be found of the mire from which it has 



* The plant is called Hasu ; its rhizoma, Renkon ; the seed, Hasu-no-mi ; the 

 leaf, Hasu-no-ha ; and the swamp or pond in which it grows, Hasu-no-ike. 



