530 
plint's natueal histoet. 
[Book XYII. 
proof that tlie method has been adopted vrith success, when 
the fissures so made remain open and become filled with wood 
of the trunk growing between the lips. 
CHAP. 43. OTHER REMEDIES FOR THE DISEASES OF TREES. 
TLe medical treatment of trees in a great degree resembles 
that of man, seeing that in certain cases the bones of them both 
are perforated even.^^ The bitter almond will become sweet, if, 
after spading round the trunk and cleaning it, the lowermost 
part of it is pierced all round, so that the humours may have 
a passage for escape and ensure being removed. In the elm, 
too, the superfluous juices are drawn off, by piercing the tree 
above ground to the pith when it is old, or when it is found 
to suffer from an excess of nutriment. So, too, when the bark 
of the fig is turgid and swollen, the confined juices are dis- 
charged by means of light incisions made in a slanting direc- 
tion ; hy the adoption of which method the fruit is prevented 
from falling off. When fruit-trees bud but bear no fruit, a 
fissure is made in the root, and a stone inserted ; the result of 
which is, that they become productive."^* The same is done 
also with the almond, a wedge of robur being employed for 
the purpose. Eoi the pear and the service tree a wedge of 
torch" wood is used, and then covered over with ashes and earth. 
It is even found of use, too, to make circular incisions around 
the roots of the vine and fig, when the vegetation is too luxu- 
riant, and then to throw ashes over the roots. A late crop of 
figs is ensured, if the first fruit is taken off when green and 
little larger than a bean ; for it is immediately succeeded by 
Iresh, which ripens at a later period than usual. If the tops of 
each branch are removed from the fig, just as it is beginning 
to put forth leaves, its strength and productiveness are greatly 
increased. A.s to caprification, the effect of that is to ripen the 
fruit. 
CHAP. 44. CAPRlPICATlOIs", A^D PARTICULARS CONNECTED WITH 
THE PIG. 
It is beyond all doubt that in caprifi cation the green fruit 
gives birth to a kind of gnat for when they have taken 
He alludes to the medical operation for the removal of carious bones, 
described by Oelsus, B. viii. c. 3. 
This is still done by some persons ; but it can be productive of no 
beneficial result. 
*5 See B. XV. c. 21 : the Cynips psencs of Linn. It penetrates the fig 
