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However, let the objection give us the more Caution, that, if we dessein to a Fruit without Stones, the perforation may be the bolder and the more compleat.
And to proceed further, some Trees are lesse fruitfull, or altogether barren by the excessive growth and firmness of the Timber; and these are recover'd by cross deep hacking: through the Bark: And such injuries done to the Timber both in the Stem and main Roots, they cleave the Roots, and put a stone in the cleft, that it may not close again too hastily. If this violence be not done both to the Stem and Roots, the remedy may fail. We see also, that Vines are less fruitful, when they are permitted to run out into many woody branches.
II. To shew also the Proximity between the Sap of the Bark and the Pulp of the Fruit; I did in Summer-time make Rests for water on the body of Kentish Codlin-trees, and caus'd water to be frequently powred into those Cavities. The effect was this, the Apples grew to an extraordinary bigness, and were very insipid, and many of them had parts in appearance much like the pulp of Lemons: some I suffered to hang on the Tree as long as they would, and those became full of Spots of the Colour of Corke, or like the rotteness of an Apple.
I omit the rest, and hasten to redouble a remark of the great use, which maybe made of the cheif Experiment. The Graft carries the mastery from the Stock for the Pulp of the fruit; So that we have little hope of much change by meer Graftings, how oft soever iterated. But if after many, and strange, and choice Engraftings you set the Kernel, Stone, or Seed of the grafted Fruit in a Kind Mould, you may then expect some new or mingled kinde of Plant, as Semi-Apricocks, &c. And thus the Almond and Peach may by many changes in the Graftings, and by Inteneration of the Stones of the Peaches, and of the Shell of the Almonds, and by Terebrations of the Stem and Root here and there, alter their guises, so that the Coat of the Almond may approach to the Pulp or the Peach, and the kernel of a Peach be enlarged to a kinde of Almond; and great store of better contrivances may from hence take rise.
