(854)
merly publisht) by those two Worthy and Observing persons Dr. F. Beale, and Dr. Ezerel Tonge.
To the 1. Dr. B. It will be difficult to enumerate all the Vegetables that will grow the wrong end set downwards in the ground. To mention some, besides those mention'd in that Query (viz. Elders and Briars) there are Sallies, Willows, the Black-Elder, Vines, and most Shrubs; two or three of their joynts being cover'd in the mould, and the Stem cut off near the overmost Joynt, which should be half cover'd in the mould, and the mould somewhat raised, as it spirts out and grows, Dr. Tonge agrees, saying, that Curran Trees, and such like, as are of a soft wood, and quick growers, seem most apt to this improvement.
To the 2d. Dr. B, That the branch of a Plant, being laid in the Ground, whilst yet growing on the Tree, and there taking root, being cut off whilst so growing, will grow on both ends if it be well rooted in the Propagation; and the like care had of the last knot or joynt, as was before prescribed. Dr, T. faith, that Layers of those Trees, mentioned in the former Query, will grow on both ends, and aptly parted when they have spread roots both wayes, make two plants out of each Layer.
To the 3d. Dr. B. In the Tapping of Trees, the juice certainly ascends from the root, and after 'tis concocted to partake of the nature of the Plant (which feeds as well on the Air, as the juice furnish'd through the root) it descends (as the Liquor in a Limbec) to the orifice, whence it issues. Ratray, the learned Scot, affirms, that he had calculated experimentally, that the liquor, which may be drawn from the Birch in the Spring time, is equiponderant to the whole weight of the Tree, branches, roots, and all together: Whence he inferrs, that it deserves our diligence, fully to enquire into the manifold benefits that may be made by the Tappings of all sorts of Vegetables; some at the Roots, some in the Body, either from the Bark, or the Timber; some under the chief Branches (which is noted by V. Helmont to be the proper place for the juice of the Birch;) some from the Fruit, Kernel, Blossoms, Seeds, or Husks containing seeds; as Dr. Harvy had a way of filling his Silver-box with a purer sort of Opium, taken from the Husks of Poppy seed, being prickt
