246 NATURAL HISTORY. 



very probable that any sour fruit grafted upon a 

 stock that beareth a sweeter fruit, may both make 

 the fruit sweeter, and more void of the harsh matter 

 of kernels or seeds. 



516. It is reported, that not only the taking out 

 of the pith, but the stopping of the juice of the pith 

 from rising in the midst, and turning it to rise on the 

 outside, will make the fruit without core or stone ; 

 as if you should bore a tree clean through, and 

 put a wedge in. It is true, there is some affinity 

 between the pith and the kernel, because they are 

 both of a harsh substance, and both placed in the 

 midst. 



517. It is reported, that trees watered per 

 petually with warm water, will make a fruit with 

 little or no core or stone. And the rule is general, 

 that whatsoever will make a wild tree a garden 

 tree, will make a garden tree to have less core 

 or stone. 



Experiments in consort touching the degenerating of 

 plants, and of the transmutation of them into one 

 another. 



518. The rule is certain, that plants for want of 

 culture degenerate to be baser in the same kind ; 

 and sometimes so far as to change into another kind, 

 1. The standing long, and not being removed, 

 maketh them degenerate. 2. Drought, unless the 

 earth of itself be moist, doth the like. 3. So doth 

 removing into worse earth, or forbearing to com- 



