188 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



At the village of Tsuki-gase, some twenty-five miles 

 from the old eighth century capital of Nara, there is a 

 line of Ume trees for upward of two miles alongside a 

 small stream. The delicately fragrant flowers are 

 white, pink, and even deep rose, and are either single 

 or double; the shoots are smooth and green and the 

 leaves roundish and light green in color. Normally 

 it is a low bushy tree some twelve to fifteen feet tall, 

 with a thin trunk and spreading branches; but under 

 cultivation, forms have originated in which the 

 branches are pendent or quite erect (fastigiate). 



In both China and Japan it is much grown in 

 pots as a dwarfed bush and in this condition flowers 

 profusely. Cut branches with flowers are abund- 

 antly used for house decoration — so much so, in fact, 

 that it is safe to say that in season where it is grown in 

 China and Japan no temple, shrine, or dwelling — be 

 it castle, palace, or peasant's hut — is without its sprig 

 of Ume. Unfortunately, this plant is not hardy in 

 the colder parts of North America, but south of 

 Philadelphia it is not uncommon in gardens. It 

 deserves to be more widely known, and as a forcing 

 shrub merits the attention of florists. 



The common Peach (Prunus Persica) is a native of 

 central China and as bearing the finest of all the stone 

 fruits needs no mention here. But cultivated in the 



