Gardens for the sale of dwarf trees and flowers are also very common.  Some are perfect bijoux.  As a rule the varied collections of flowers, planted in coloured china pots, are arranged, with very agreeable effect, in tiers of shelves round the sides, and on stands about the gardens.

Many of the dwarf trees, especially the maples, have great variety of foliage, the result of constant grafting.  To such an extent is this practised, that it is rare to find pure botanical specimens in a Japanese garden.  Plants are sometimes cultivated for their berries as well as for their variegated foliage.  One very beautiful specimen, producing at the same time bright scarlet and yellow berries, is believed by many to have been obtained from cuttings of an exquisite shrub, which is said to be the principal ornament of the regions of the ‘Kamis,’ or Japanese heaven.

Even the fern family undergoes a strange metamorphosis at the hands of Japanese gardeners.  Some of the fronds are artificially variegated; and others, on reaching maturity, have a curious crumpled appearance.  Again, the roots of certain small species are frequently twisted into curious devices, and hung up in grottoes, or shady corners.  The effect of these, when the roots are partly concealed by the fresh young fronds, is very pretty.

Nearly every fortnight a fresh flower comes into season, and is in great demand for the time; heavy prices being readily paid for fine specimens.

The poorer classes commonly buy flowers from men who gain their livelihood by hawking them about the streets.  They buy them not only to gratify their tastes, but as offerings to their Lares and Penates—­patron ‘Kamis;’ or to decorate the tombs of departed relatives—­a religious ceremony which is strictly observed.

Flower-shows are often held in the large towns, and are much frequented by the people.

[Illustration:  A FLOWER SHOW.]

The illustration represents a chrysanthemum show.  These flowers are much esteemed by the Japanese, who pay more attention to size and brilliancy of colour than to perfume.  The stone in the centre is called a ‘skakeshe.’  On it, poetry in praise of flowers is inscribed.  This is a custom of very ancient origin, and poetical inscriptions on stones and rocks are to be often seen in public places.  The piece of ornamental stonework is an ‘ishedoro,’ or ‘stone lamp,’ which is very common in gardens, and is much prized on account of the historical associations connected with it.

The Japanese have many floral compliments.  A very pretty one is intimated by a present of seeds (especially if presented to a foreigner returning to his own country), the purport being—­’Plant these seeds about your home, and, when you see them growing, think of me.’

[Illustration:  Girl with Flowers.]

As an instance of the influence which flowers have upon the Japanese character, the word ‘hanna,’ or flower, is commonly used as a term of endearment:  it is usually applied by parents to a favourite daughter, or by a lover to his mistress; it is also used to distinguish the bride and the bridegroom, as ‘hanna-yomie,’ ‘hanna-moko.’  Floral love-tokens (although they only consist of a single sprig) are as much prized among the Japanese as among ourselves; and are, no doubt, sometimes