FRUIT. 47 



more powerful communication with the branch ; 

 each division of its calyx having at least one 

 bundle of vascular and fibrous tissue, passing 

 from it into the branch, and acting as a stay 

 upon the centre to prevent its breaking off. 



Such fruit may be supposed much more 

 capable of establishing a means of attracting 

 secretions from a distance ; and, consequently, 

 is less liable to perish from want of a supply of 

 food. 



It is therefore not so important that an infe- 

 rior fruit should be furnished with growing 

 branches above it, instance, Apple, Pear. 



Fruit is exclusively fed by the secretions 

 prepared for it by other parts ; it is therefore 

 affected by nearly the same circumstances as 

 flowers. 



It will be large in proportion to the quantity 

 of food the stem can supply to it : and small 

 in proportion to the inability of the stem to 

 nourish it. 



For this reason, when trees are weak they 

 should be allowed to bear very little, if any 

 fruit ; because a crop of fruit can only tend to 

 increase their debility. 



And in all cases each fruit should be so far 

 separated from all others as not to be robbed of 

 its food by those in its vicinity. 



