222 NATURAL HISTORY. 



but this of the stake seemeth to be a reasonable 

 discourse. 



463. It hath been touched before, that terebra 

 tion of trees doth make them prosper better. But 

 it is found also, that it maketh the fruit sweeter and 

 better. The cause is, for that, notwithstanding the 

 terebration, they may receive aliment sufficient, and 

 yet no more than they can well turn and digest, and 

 withal do sweat out the coarsest and unprofitablest 

 juice ; even as it is in living creatures, which by 

 moderate feeding, and exercise, and sweat, attain 

 the soundest habit of body. 



464. As terebration doth meliorate fruit, so upon 

 the like reason doth letting of plants blood, as prick 

 ing vines or other trees, after they be of some 

 growth, and thereby letting forth gum or tears, 

 though this be not to continue, as it is in terebra 

 tion, but at some seasons. And it is reported, that 

 by this artifice bitter almonds have been turned into 

 sweet. 



465. The ancients for the dulcorating of fruit do 

 commend swine s dung above all other dung : which 

 may be because of the moisture of that beast, where 

 by the excrement hath less acrimony, for we see 

 swines and pig s flesh is the moisest of fleshes. 



466. It is observed by some, that all herbs wax 

 sweeter, both in smell and taste, if after they be 

 grown up some reasonable time they be cut, and so 

 you take the latter sprout. The cause may be, for 

 that the longer the juice stayeth in the root and 

 stalk, the better it concocteth. For one of the chief 



