530 flint's natural history. [Bock XVII. 



proof that the method has heen adopted with success, when 

 the fissures so made remain open and become filled with wood 

 of the trunk growing between the lips. 



CHAP. 43. OTHER REMEDIES FOR THE DISEASES OF TREES. 



The medical treatment of trees in a great degree resembles 

 that of man, seeing that in certain cases the bones of them both 

 are perforated even. 43 The bitter almond will become sweet, if, 

 after spading round the trunk and cleaning it, the lowermost 

 part of it is pierced all round, so that the humours may have 

 a passage for escape and ensure being removed. In the elm, 

 too, the superfluous juices are drawn off, by piercing the tree 

 above ground to the pith when it is old, or when it is found 

 to suffer from an excess of nutriment. So, too, when the bark 

 of the fig is turgid and swollen, the confined juices are dis- 

 charged by means of light incisions made in a slanting direc- 

 tion ; bj the adoption of which method the fruit is prevented 

 from falling off. When fruit-trees bud but bear no fruit, a 

 fissure is made in the root, and a stone inserted ; the result of 

 which is, that they become productive. 44 The same is done 

 also with the almond, a wedge of robur being employed for 

 the purpose. Foi the pear and the service tree a wedge of 

 torch- wood is used, and then covered over with ashes and earth. 

 It is even found of use, too, to make circular incisions around 

 the roots of the vine and fig, when the vegetation is too luxu- 

 riant, and then to throw ashes over the roots. A late crop of 

 figs is ensured, if the first fruit is taken off when green and 

 little larger than a bean ; for it is immediately succeeded by 

 fresh, which ripens at a later period than usual. If the tops of 

 each branch are removed from the fig, just as it is beginning 

 to put forth leaves, its strength and productiveness are great iy 

 increased. As to caprification, the effect of that is to ripen the 

 fruit. 



CHAP. 44. CAPRIFICATION, AND PARTICULARS CONNECTED WITH 



THE FIG. 



It is beyond all doubt that in caprification the green fruit 

 gives birth to a kind of gnat ; 45 for when they have taken 



43 He alludes to the medical operation for the removal of carious bones, 

 described by Celsus, B. viii. c. 3. 



44 This is still done by some persons ; but it can be productive of no 

 beneficial result. 



45 See B. xv. c. 21 : the Cynips psencs of Linn. It penetrates the fig 



