VOL. IV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 333 



be found the difference of the sap rising on the north and south, in sun and 

 shade, and so hkewise from that which comes from the bark, and that which 

 ascends in the inner part of the tree. The weight also may be compared of that 

 which issues from the bark with that which issues from the body. The heart- 

 sap may also be drawn apart, by boring a smaller auger hole in the middle of 

 a larger, and fitting it with a long pipe adjusted into the inner orifice. 



I am informed by a curious and intelligent person, that the corruption of 

 the timber depends not so much on the time of the year and the ascent, or the 

 plenty or scarcity of sap, as on the state of the moon or wind. And that tim- 

 ber trees felled when the wind is in the west, especially in the old moon, will 

 keep them from being worm-eaten ; and on the contrary, that when cut down 

 in an east wind, the worm will seize on them, at any age of the moon. To 

 prevent which corruption, it is advised that such timber be forthwith thrown 

 into water. 



Mr. E. Jay, an ingenious and expert planter, supposes that the fittest time to 

 inoculate is presently after midsummer, because he says the sap descends ; but 

 I say, because it is then most plentiful and begins to jelly. 



To make a barren tree bear again ; nourish it with dung in trenches, and 

 pare and renew the extremities of its longest roots, and cut off the outermost 

 and shortest nearest the body. Hence it may seem that ploughing helps fruit- 

 trees. 



Cross hackings promote fruitfulness, and cure the phyllomania or luxuriancy 

 of leaves ; the reason of which seems to be, that outward circles and bark feed 

 the wood, and the inner only reach out to the outermost sprigs of the last year, 

 to which the fruit hangs. For some trees bear only on this year's shoot, and 

 some only on that of the last, possibly some only on the third year's shoot ; 

 and cease bearing when they shoot no new sprigs. Seasonable baring the roots, 

 called ablaqueation, has probably the same effect ; because it hinders the 

 nourishment, especially of the outward coats, and of bark, leaves and suckers : 

 but as some suckers or shoots lately sprung in outward coats seem to rob the 

 fruit of the risen juice, so later roots from the outward parts of the main roots 

 rob them also of their first nourishment in the earth ; they ought to be pruned, * 

 as well as all suckers and not bearing branches and sprigs, every year. 



To preserve sap in the best condition for brewing ; what is drawn first 

 must be constantly exposed to the sun in glasses, or other fit vessels, till the 

 rest be obtained and ready ; otherwise it will soon contract an acidity. Then 

 put into it so much very thin cut and hard toasted, but no ways burned, rj^e- 

 bread, as will serve to ferment it ; and when it works take out the bread, and 

 bottle the liquor, stopping it up with waxed corks. If you bake sage, or any 



