| "Dwarfed Japanese Trees"
by W. Roberts (1899):
THE Japanese genius in "dwarfing" trees and shrubs is
so well known to horticulturists and botanists, that it would seem rather late in the day to dwell at any length
on so obvious a fact. The art is exclusively [sic] a Japanese one, or, at all
events, the Japanese are its most successful exponents. Nearly two dozen of these miniature trees, ranging
from 6 inches to 20 inches high, and from thirty to eighty years old, attracted quite a small crowd on Wednesday
last (July 19) to Messrs. Robinson & Fisher's, at Willis' Rooms, King Street,
St. James' Square, London.
They were described as "the property of a lady," and many of them were recently exhibited at the Royal Botanic
Gardens, and were declared by the Council to be "the finest specimens of this peculiar art ever seen in this
country." Every one of the little trees is the picture of health, and has been from two to seven years
in England. More than half the number were Maples, and several of the examples had had three or four
varieties grafted on one stem. The prices paid for the Maples ranged from £3 12s. 6d.
up to £14 14s., which latter amount was paid for a specimen 20 inches high, and 53 years old, in
an oblong, white, cracked china pot. The oldest Maple in the series measured 21 inches high, and its age
is placed at 60 years ; this realized 10 guineas.
There were three specimens of a tree named Zelkowa, or "Kelkowa," Keaki,
and the most important specimen has a stem 19 inches high, and is 12 inches in circumference, its age being
stated to be 83 years, and this realized £11 11s. A solitary specimen of Lagerstrœmia
indica, the normal height of which varies from 6 to 10 feet, with a stem 12 inches high, and 17 years of
age, sold for £2 2s. There was also a single specimen of Cherry, the botanical name of which
is given as "Prunus Mume," and this has been 82 years in atttaining its height of 23 inches, and its
circumference of 19 inches ; in the spring, this little tree is covered with beautiful white blossoms, and
specimens are said to be extremely rare in this country ; it realized £12 12s. The
specimen Larch (Larix leptolepis) is especially interesting, for in Japan it is often found 40 feet high,
although on very high elevations it becomes a mere shrub of 2 feet in height ; the "dwarfed" specimen,
with its stem twisted and gnarled, is only 6 inches high, although its age is placed at 23 years ; this sold
for £11. The only Conifer in the collection is incorrectly described as "Thuja obtusa nana," or
Cupressus obtusa nana ; it has been eighty-five years in growing a stem 17 inches high, and a circumference
of 16 inches ; it is exceedingly vigorous, and has been in England for seven years, and is probably unique
so far as this country is concerned. It realized 39 guineas, its purchaser being Mr. Owen, who bought
a number of the other specimens, and who is understood to be acting for the Crystal Palace Company.
The total of the twenty-two lots amounted to no less than £189 13s. W. Roberts
[Several fine specimens may be seen in the Cape-house at Kew. ED.]
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