332 
The Garden Magazine , July, 1923 
JUNIPER FROM WESTERN CHINA 
The natural growth of Juniperus squamata hugs the ground but 
this specimen has been induced to take its new shape by special 
staking and tying till self-supporting; height now 70 inches 
AN AGED AZALEA 
Undoubtedly of the obtusum type 
and bearing very glossy leaves and 
magenta flowers in profusion each 
season. There is no doubt as to the 
great age of its trunk which has 
evolved in most interesting fashion. 
(Height 27 inches) 
JAPANESE PINE 
Despite its tiny size (57 inches) this 
dwarf conveys the “feel” of wind¬ 
swept spaces. Pinus parviflora is 
native to Japan and, untrammeled, 
soars upward sometimes to 80 feet 
JAPAN MAPLE 
This group of six trees are apparently just seedlings of the type (Acer palmatum), 
their small size (27 in. high) being wholly due to their curtailed root growth 
and develop naturally, though any rapid growth is curtailed by restricted root 
action, but not to a degree which interferes with the plant’s health. While 
they have supposedly been watered frequently enough to prevent exposure 
to over-dryness at the roots, they have nevertheless occasionally been sorely 
neglected, but rally again when given water. 
It is astonishing what a small amount of soil is seemingly necessary to 
maintain a state of health with these plants. Mine have not been repotted 
with new soil since received from Japan, but have been knocked out of their 
containers several times, some of the roots shortened, and a thin layer of sand 
placed on the bottom of the pot before replacing the root ball. This we were 
advised to do so as to avoid the danger of the soil becoming sour. They have 
had practically no trimming or special training since being received and have 
lost through successive years of growth some of the adherance to prescribed 
form so essential to the Japanese gardener, but have, in my opinion, gained 
in interest as the original idea of severely definite composition lines has been 
acceptably mellowed. 
Many people will promptly deprecate the idea of having plants so kept in 
pots and so very much curtailed in their natural development, and also dis¬ 
approve of encouraging a plant to grow other than as nature wills; yet these 
people must admit that 
within certain limitations, 
these plants are altogether 
interesting, and really are 
no more unnatural, when 
compared to nature’s un¬ 
fettered ways, than the 
average street and orchard 
trees, the shrubs and vines 
about our houses, or the 
grasses that compose our 
clipped lawns. 
In the final analysis, 
practicallyall the trees and 
plants deliberately used for 
either utility or beauty 
show definite restraints im¬ 
posed by the human hand. 
I s it not then perfectly con¬ 
sistent tocultivateand take 
pleasure in having some in 
pots, which through care, 
patience, and purposeful 
training have evolved such 
expressive individuality? 
