OF FOREST-TREES. 



235 



world has been infinitely engaged. In compliance therefore to his queries, CH. XVIII. 

 Monday, October 19, 1668, No. xl. p. 797, 801, &c. these generals are ^--^''v*-^ 

 submitted : That in such trials, as my friend essayed, he has not yet en- 

 countered with any sap but what is very clear and sweet, especially that 

 of the Sycamore, which has a dulcoration as if mixed with sugar, and 

 that it runs one of the earliest : That the Maple distiUed when quite 

 rescinded from the body, and even whilst he yet held it in his hand : 

 That the Sycamore ran at the root, which some days before yielded no 

 sap from the branches ; the experiment made at the end of March. But 

 the accurate knowledge of the nature of sap, and its periodic motions 

 and properties in several trees, should be observed by some at entire 

 leisure to attend it daily and almost continually, and will require more 

 than any one person's industry can afford ; for it must be inquired con- 

 cerning every tree, its age, soil, situation, &c. the variety of its ascending 

 sap depending on it ; and then of its sap ascending in the branches and 

 roots ; descending in cut branches ; ascending from root, and not from 

 branches ; the seasons and difference of time in which those accidents 

 happen, &c. He likewise thinks the best expedient to procure store of 

 liquor, is to pierce the trees almost quite through all the circles, on both 

 sides the pith, leaving only the outmost circle, and the barks on the north 

 or north-east side unpierced ; and this hole, the larger it is bored, the 

 more plentifully it will distil ; which if it be under and through a k.rge 

 arm near the ground^ is effected with greatest advantage, and will need 

 neither stone nor chip to keep it open, nor spigot to direct it to the reci- 

 pient. Thus it will, in a short time, afford liquor sufficient to brew with ; 

 and in some of these sweet saps, one bushel of malt will afford as good 

 ale as four in ordinary waters, even in March itself; in others, as good as 

 two bushels ; for this, preferring the Sycamore before any other : But to 

 preserve it in best condition for brewing, till you are stored with a suffi- 

 cient quantity, it is advised, that what first runs be insolated, and placed 

 in the sun, till the remainder be prepared, to prevent its growing sour ; 

 but it may also be fermented alone, by such as have the secret. To the 

 curious these essays are recommended : That it be immediately stopped up 

 in the bottles in which it is gathered, the corks well waxed, and exposed 

 to the sun, till, as was said, a sufficient quantity be run ; then let so much 

 rye-bread (toasted very dry, but not burnt) be put into it, as will serve to 

 set it a working ; and when it begins to ferment, take it out, and bottle 

 it immediately. If you had a few cloves, &;c. to steep in it, it will cer- 



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