36 On inarching leafless Branches ofFe&ch-trees. 



immediately above the fruit. Similar wounds were then 

 made upon the other branches, with which these were brought 

 into contact ; and the wounded surfaces were closely fitted ; 

 and tightly bound together. An union soon took place ; 

 and the fruit, apparently in consequence of it, acquired the 

 highest state of maturity and perfection. 



The preservation of a few Peaches, by the preceding pro- 

 cess, is an object of so small importance, that I should not 

 have thought the account worth communicating to the Hor- 

 ticultural Society, but that the result of the experiment 

 appears to point out the office of the foliage under other 

 circumstances, and may thus tend to throw some small 

 portion of additional light, upon the dark and intricate path 

 through which the investigator of vegetable physiology has 

 to explore his way. 



