16 



which it grows, and that the blossom will 

 appear healthy a considerable time after the 

 effect on this is quite visible. 



What has led gardeners and connoisseurs 

 to think, that bending the branches gives 

 them less sap, I do not know, as I have 

 little intercourse with them or their writ- 

 ings y perhaps it has been from observing 

 that the middle or main stem of a tree, 

 growing most vertically, grows most luxu- 

 riantly ; but they seem to have satisfied 

 themselves with the first apparent cause 

 that presented, without reasoning or consi- 

 dering, that the main shoot receives its sap 

 in a direct line, whereas the branches receive 

 theirs laterally. But it is as obvious, that, by 

 whatever power the circulation of the sap is 

 carried on, the bent branches must have, at 

 least, the advantage of gravity in their fa- 

 vour. 



