106 FAMILY RECEIPTS. 



the return of sap to the part below the ring, also tends 

 to cause the desired accumulation of sap in the pari 

 above the ring. 



Bending down the branches effects the same accumu- 

 lation with more certainty. When branches are in 

 (heir natural or erect position, the fluids are diffused 

 through their vessels or tissue uninterruptedly and ra- 

 pidly; but by bending down the branches, the vessels 

 become more or less compressed, and contribute to the 

 accumulation of the juices or sap, by preventing its 

 rapid diffusion. Training, as branches in this process 

 are usually bent, effects the same object in the same 

 manner; as well as by fixing the branches, and so pre- 

 venting their being agitated by winds, as this agitation 

 *is known to facilitate the movement of the fluids.' — 

 Nor is the influence of the stock of an essentially dif- 

 ferent nature. In proportion as the scion and the 

 8tock approach each other closely in constitution, the 

 less effect is produced by the latter; and on the contra- 

 ry, in proportion to the constitutional difference between 

 the stock and the scion is the effect of the former im- 

 portant. Thus when pears are grafted or budded on 

 the wild species; apples upon crabs, plums upon plums, 

 and peaches upon peaches or almonds, the scion is, in 

 regard to fertility, exactly in the same state as if it had 

 not been grafted at all; while on the other hand, a great 

 increase of fertility is the result of grafting pears upon 

 quinces, peaches upon plums, apples upon white thorn, 

 and the like. In the latter cases, the food absorbed 

 from the earth by the root of the stock is communica- 

 ted slowly and unwillingly to the scion; under no 

 circumstances is the communication between the one 

 and the other as free and perfect as if their natures had 

 been more nearly the same; th-e sap is impeded in its 

 ascent, and the proper juices are impeded in their de- 

 scent; whence arises that accumulation of secretion 

 which is sure to be attended with increased fertility. 



The fluid or sap collected by the roots, when elabo- 

 rated in the leaves, is so modified by the combined 

 action of air, light and evaporation, as to acquire the 

 peculiar character of the fir.al secretions of the indi- 



