It is an early gardening monograph in China, which expounds the knowledge of flower cultivation and garden animal feeding. Written in the 27th year of Kangxi in Qing Dynasty (AD 1688).
Author Chen Haozi, the word soaring, is a famous West Lake flower hidden Weng. My birthplace is unknown and my life experience is hazy, but there is a brief view in the preface: "Take classes as things, and chat to entertain the old ears." Born in the 40th year of Wanli (1612); The year of death is unknown. Chen Haozi likes reading and growing flowers all his life. According to the "Preface to Chinese Engraving", after the death of the Ming Dynasty, Chen Haozi was unwilling to be an official. He is eager to cultivate and study flowers, fruits and trees and serve as an apprentice. In his later years, he was dissatisfied with social customs, thinking that some people were either speculating for profits in the business world or competing for positions in the official sea, and knew nothing about planting and production. These are fully reflected in the preface of reading glasses.
In order to make people understand the methods of planting flowers, Chen Haozi wrote a book "Flower Mirror" in the twenty-seventh year of Qing Emperor Kangxi (1688) by investigating and visiting flower farmers and flower friends, combined with the study of flower spectrum in previous dynasties. There are six volumes in the book: the first volume, New Planting of Flower Calendar, is divided into ten items besides checking and waiting, and lists the monthly actions of various ornamental plants cultivation. Volume II "Eighteen Methods of Teaching Flowers" belongs to the general theory of cultivation, including the general theory of teaching flowers, the method of distinguishing flowers, the method of planting, the method of grafting magic, the method of easy cutting, the method of moving flowers and piling them, the method of proper watering, the method of keeping insects, the method of changing flowers and destroying flowers, and the method of correcting and deleting branches. It mainly describes the cultivation principles and management methods of ornamental plants, which is the essence of the book. There are many valuable experiences and theories, which are still glorious today. Books three to five are all about cultivation, focusing on the names, forms, living habits, places of origin, uses and cultivation of flowers and trees. The appendix of the sixth volume is the nursing methods of some common ornamental animals in the garden, such as birds, beasts, scales, insects and so on.
The difference between Flower Mirror and previous agricultural books is that it mainly focuses on food crops and vegetables. This book is limited to ornamental plants and fruit tree cultivation. There are many scientific summaries and incisive opinions on previous experience. This is China's early gardening monograph.
"Flower Mirror" records rich knowledge of genetic breeding, and "Introduction to Flowers" says: "Since the world where plants grow is different, how can the temperament of plants be different? Therefore, the north is water-cooled, and the northern producers are self-satisfied; The south is fire; Southern producers are not afraid of arrogance and the situation is natural. " It is pointed out that different plant species have different properties and different suitable growth areas. It is further pointed out that if we can understand and master the characteristics of plants, follow the nature of plants, and satisfy the living conditions needed by plants, we can also cultivate plants that people need in different places, that is, "in the master gardener of flowers, we can judge their dryness and wetness, avoid their cold and heat, and make them go their own way." Although far away from home, the north and the south are different, human resources can also win. "
Chen Haozi said in "The Wonderful Method of Replacement": "Every wood must be replaced, and existence is reasonable. Small flowers can be big. Single petals can be heavy, red ones can be purple, really small ones can be big, sour ones can be sweet, and smelly ones can be fragrant. What can save the sky is human power. Only when it is replaced will it be heard. " Although these statements are exaggerated, they show that the quality of flowers and trees can be improved by grafting; Can directionally cultivate plants needed by human beings. The idea that man can conquer nature has been further developed in horticultural production.
With regard to the selection of scions, Wang Zhen recorded in "Agricultural Books": "Whoever picks branches must choose its beauty. People who stay in the sun should be strong and easy to flourish. " Chen Haozi developed and expounded this: "Its grafting must also choose its best species; I have been born for a year or two, so I am energetic. " "Grafting will be used more in places facing south and close to low branches." It is clearly pointed out that in addition to selecting excellent varieties, high-yield branches that bear fruit for one or two years and are close to the south should also be selected. It reflects that the author not only understands the stages of plant growth and development, but also recognizes the importance of selecting high-yield and strong branches in production.
Regarding the importance of selection in peach breeding, the author said: "Take a good kind of ripe peach, bury the meat in the soil and light it." It is emphasized that good varieties must be selected for seedling raising, and the tip is facing up when sowing, so that it is easy to germinate. "Flower Mirror" has a concrete account of China's ancient breeding achievements. For example, it points out that peony is the king of flowers, with the most in the north. * * * Records peony 13 1 variety, peony 88 varieties, orchid 35 varieties, plum 2 1 variety, lotus 22 varieties, chrysanthemum 152 varieties and litchi 75 varieties. In addition, many kinds of goldfish are described, which shows that there are many kinds of plants and animals raised in ancient China.
In the further summary of the knife technique, "Flower Mirror" said: "It's nothing more than the word' Yin avoids Yang'. Cutting should be done in a cool place, avoiding direct sunlight, so that the water will not be out of balance and the plants can survive. On the issue of this planting period, Chen Haozi believes that as long as the management technology is improved, it can be transplanted and planted at any time, regardless of the season. For example, he said: "If the flowers in southern Zhejiang were in business, it would not be like this. I won't plant any flowers, and I won't move any wood ... Although it's not the right time, I can plant it because of the right method. "With excellent cultivation techniques, the growth and development of plants can be controlled to meet human needs.
The method of "changing flowers into ruined flowers" is to clarify the principle of promoting cultivation and restraining cultivation. If you want peony and plum blossom to open as soon as possible, you can do insulation equipment in the cellar room. The collection and application methods of various organic fertilizers are described in detail in "Cultivation Methods". Reflect the relationship between different flowers and trees and soil fertility. Pruning and deleting branches introduces the method of pruning; Drained strips (drooping branches), sashimi strips (inward branches), parallel branches (parallel branches), miscellaneous strips (overlapping strips) and dead strips (dead branches) should be cut off. "Pest control law" is to introduce the prevention and division of pests. Many of the above valuable experiences are still of practical value. "Flower Mirror" is a precious heritage of ancient gardening in China.
The editions of "Flower Mirror" include woodcut edition of Shanchengtang, reprint of Japanese Huayantang, woodcut edition of Wendetang, printed edition of Zhangjin Bookstore, printed edition of Damei Bookstore, printed edition of Shenhe Bookstore, printed edition of Zhonghua Bookstore, etc.