230 Method of Dwarfing Trees and Shrubs. 



and various other mechanical means, to suit the taste of the 

 operator. 



7th. After which, the various means already alluded to are 

 practised to complete the work ; and which vary in different 

 places. It is the custom in the province of Fo-kien r where 

 the best dwarfs are said to be formed, to entice ants to des- 

 troy the heart wood, into which openings are made to intro- 

 duce sugar and the like.* 



Dr. Howison has stated, in the Paperf already referred 

 to, that fruit trees made by abscission bear more fruit than 

 similar boughs left on the tree from which they are taken. 

 This may, I think, be readily imagined to be the case by an 

 inattentive observer, for dwarf trees being much in demand 

 in China, and bringing a price in proportion to the crop of 

 fruit which they hear, especially Oranges, Finger fruits, 

 Peaches, Carambolas, Grapes, &c. the artists select invariably 

 the branches which are most loaded with Mowers, for abscis- 

 sion, which operation does not take place till the fruit is 

 nearly ripe. In this state they are exposed for sale. The 

 fruit is sufficiently well tasted, but is never intended for use 

 by the Chinese. They are contented with the handsome ap- 

 pearance of the miniature fruit tree, on which the fruit is also 



* The Capsicum Cerasiforme, and some other species of the same genus, are 

 planted in pots of not more than two or three inche- in diameter. The plants are 

 reduced thereby to the most diminutive size, with fruit scarcely larger than our 

 Currant. The Dracaena ferrea, and some species of Bambusa, are made to grow 

 in the corners of their reck work, chiefly by means of water, to the height of only 

 a few inches. The Gardenia florida, by the same mode of treatment, is equally 



f Transactions of the Society of Arts, &c. volume xxv, page 14. 



