Cuar. VI.] CHINESE MODE OF DWARFING. 97 
same time encouraged the production of side 
branches at those parts of the stem where they 
were most desired. When these suckers had 
formed roots in the open ground, or kind of nur- 
sery where they were planted, they were looked 
over and the best taken up for potting. The same 
principles, which I have already noticed, were still 
kept in view, the pots used being narrow and 
shallow, so that they held but a small quantity of 
soil compared with the wants of the plants, and no 
more water being given than what was barely 
sufficient to keep them alive. Whilst the branches 
were forming, they were tied down and twisted in 
various ways ; the points of the leaders and strong 
growing ones were generally nipped out, and every 
means were taken to discourage the production of 
young shoots which were possessed of any degree 
of vigour. Nature generally struggles against this 
treatment for a while, until her powers seem in a 
great measure exhausted, when she quietly yields 
to the power of art. The Chinese gardener, how- 
ever, must be ever on the watch, for should the 
roots of his plants get through the pots into the 
ground, or happen to be liberally supplied with 
moisture, or should the young shoots be allowed to” 
grow in their natural position for a short time, the 
vigour of the plant which has so long been lost 
will be restored, and the fairest specimen of Chinese 
dwarfing destroyed. Sometimes, as in the case of 
peach and plum trees, which are often dwarfed, the 
plants are thrown into a flowering state, and then, 
Hu 
