THE JAPANESE DWAKF TREES. 



69 



Maples and other plants with deciduous foliage should be trimmed 

 rigorously in the month of February ; afterwards, during their growth, 

 the shoots are pinched back (the more severely the stronger they are), 

 according to the shape of the plant, and the shoots which develop after- 

 wards are treated in the same manner. 



The vigorous branches of peaches, plums, cherries, and pomegranates, 

 Lagerstroemia indica, &c, are shortened in February, because then the 

 floriferous shoots will not appear until after the flowering season. 

 Wistaria, which is very vigorous, is pinched back to four or five leaves, 

 so as to induce it to remain longer in flower. The honeysuckle is 

 treated in the same manner. Conifers generally, with the exception of 

 pines (the buds of which are not pinched back), have all their shoots 

 pinched back during the growing season. Other evergreen shrubs, such 

 as azaleas, are pinched back and shortened after flowering, when that has 

 taken place in the spring ; and as early as the month of February if the 

 blossoming of the flowers is very late. 



Dwarf trees should not be repotted in too large pans or pots with the 

 idea of providing them with more nourishment, still less should they be 

 planted out in the ground. Nature will always rapidly reassert her 

 rights. To keep trees in a dwarf state it is necessary to restrain their 

 roots in a very limited space. 



The soil may be changed every three to five years, and the same pot or 

 vase, or one only very slightly larger, employed. The tree having been 

 lifted, the old earth is loosened all round the bole, as is done in the 

 majority of plants cultivated in pots. It is useful to cut away any roots 

 which are developing too vigorously. The vase having been well drained, 

 the plant is replaced exactly in the proper position on a little fresh 

 compost. Then a little compost is filled in round the edge of the pot, 

 and with the aid of a stick is pressed into all interstices. The same 

 precautions should be taken as in moving heaths and Australian plants. 

 The compost should be a mixture of leaf-mould, peat, and garden soil. 

 February and March are the best months for repotting, as vegeta- 

 tion has not then begun. Plants cultivated in shallow dishes, basins, 

 or pots should have the old top soil removed annually and replaced by 

 new. A copious watering should follow each repotting or re-surfacing 

 to facilitate the union of the old with the new soil. It is desirable 

 to apply some mild manure annually to trees which are not to be 

 repotted. This should be done twice a month from March till June, 

 avoiding the hot months and those of autumn and winter. The most 

 suitable manure is finely powdered oilcake and burnt bones. The quantity 

 to give is about three teaspoonfuls per pot of 12 inches diameter, and half 

 a teaspoonful for those of 4 to 5 inches. The powder should be scattered 

 on the soil and watered in. 



Generally the trees, whether evergreen or deciduous, can withstand the 

 temperature outdoors even in the coldest seasons. It is, however, more 

 prudent to keep them in a well lighted place without artificial heat but 

 well ventilated. It is very desirable to avoid the late spring frosts, which 

 nip the plants just when the buds are swelling. 



During the spring and summer Thuya orientalis should be placed in 

 a light airy position and watered just sufficiently to keep the soil moist, 



