By John Livingstone, Esq. 229 



be made dwarfs, but the larger the branches the better they 

 are for the dwarfing process. 



The manipulations may be thus enumerated in detail. 



1st. The bark must be removed quite round the branch, 

 to the breadth of about half its diameter. 



2d. The denuded part is to be covered with a composition 

 similar to that used in England for grafting. For common 

 use the Chinese consider clay tempered with almost any kind 

 of earth sufficient. 



3d. For large branches the Elm, Mitchellia Champacca, 

 &c. a covering of straw, coarse cloth, &c. is used ; for the 

 Orange, Peach, &c. the composition itself is sufficient. No 

 contrivance for the application of water is ever seen in this 

 part of China. On this point I have made diligent enquiry 

 among the best gardeners, and have been always assured that 

 the sap of the boughs is sufficient to keep up a proper supply 

 of moisture. 



4th. The time of separating the branch varies in different 

 trees from about six weeks to three months. Successin a great 

 measure depends on the radicles being sufficiently abundant, 

 and having acquired the necessary degree of tenacity to bear 

 planting : in this the eye of the gardener is his only sure 

 guide. 



5th. When it has been ascertained that the root is sufficient 

 to preserve the living system, any exuberance of growth is 

 at first carefully repressed by cutting off the extreme points 

 of the branches, as well as by rubbing off part of the buds 

 and leaves. 



6th. The branches are next bent and contorted by wires, 



