Robert Fortune
The plants are principally kept in large pots arranged in rows along the sides of narrow paved walks, with the houses of the gardeners at the entrance through which the visitors pass to the gardens.
Robert FortuneSometimes, as is the case of peach and plum trees, which are often dwarfed, the plants are thrown into a flowering states, and then, as they flower freely year after year, they have little inclination to make vigorous growth.
Robert FortuneThe tree was evidently aged, from the size of its stem. It was about six feet high, the branches came out from the stem in a regular and symmetrical manner, and it had all the appearance of a tree in miniature.
Robert FortuneStunted varieties were generally chosen, particularly if they had the side branches opposite or regular, for much depends upon this; a one-sided tree is of no value in the eyes of the Chinese.
Robert FortuneThis may be done by grafting, by confining the roots, withholding water, bending the branches, or in a hundred other ways which all proceed upon the same principle.
Robert FortuneIt may be thought that the Chinese have glass houses, hot-water pipes, and all those fine things which assist gardeners and amateurs in Europe.
Robert FortuneOne marked feature of the people, both high and low, is a love for flowers.
Robert FortuneI have, however, often seen Chinese gardeners selecting suckers and plants for this purpose from the other plants which are growing in their garden.
Robert FortuneA small species of pinus was much prized, and, when dwarfed in the manner of the Chinese, fetched a very high price; it is generally grafted on a variety of the stone pine.
Robert FortuneNature generally struggles against this treatment for a while, until her powers seem in a great measure exhausted, when she quietly yields to the power of the art.
Robert FortuneEverywhere the inhabitants received me most politely, and permitted me to examine their pet flowers and dwarf trees.
Robert FortuneWhen these suckers had formed roots in the open ground, or kind of nursery where they were planted, they were looked over and the best taken up for potting.
Robert FortuneAs the lower parts of the Japanese houses and shops are open both before and behind, I had peeps of these pretty little gardens as I passed along the streets; and wherever I observed one better than the rest I did not fail to pay it a visit.
Robert Fortune
