Chap. V. 
GARDENS OF THE MANDARINS. 
75 
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 dwarf- 
ing 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, as they flower 
freely year after year, they have little inclination to 
make vigorous growth. The plants generally used in 
dwarfing are pines, junipers, C3rpresses, bamboos, peach 
and plum trees, and a species of small-leaved elm. 
Amongst the mandarins' gardens in the city of Ning- 
po there is one in particular which is generally visited 
by all strangers, and is much admired. It is situated 
near the lake in the centre of the city. The old man to 
whom it belongs has long retired from trade with an 
independent fortune, and he now enjoys his declining 
years in the peaceful pursuits of gardening, and is pas- 
sionately fond of flowers. Both his house and garden 
are unique in their way, but they are most difficult to 
describe, and must be seen to be appreciated. In this 
part of the country the building of artificial rockwork is 
so well understood, that the resemblance to nature is 
perfect, and it forms a principal feature in every garden. 
This old gentleman has the different parts of his house 
joined together by rude-looking caverns, and what at 
first sight appears to be a subterraneous passage, leading 
from room to room, through which the visitor passes 
to the garden which lies behind the house. The small 
E 2 
