Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 003.djvu/261

 growth of fruit, leaves, or uppermost shoots in tops of trees, and yearly shoots in extreme parts. If by Observation this be verified, then hence we have a probable reason of Suckers robbing fruit, viz. because till the whole tree be filled of Sap, the fruit cannot be serv'd in the uttermost branches: wherefore not only Suckers, but all superfluous not-bearing Branches are to be carefully cut away before, or at the entrance of the Spring. Hence, also it is to be inquired, Whether there be not some peculiar seasons to cause timber, Branches and Fruit to increase; and whether the first season of the stirring of Sap be most proper to increase Roots, or the last; and in the middlemost season, when it reaches the top-most branches, properest for Fruit? Also, whether what they call Blasting, be not sometimes for want of supply of Sap at those seasons subject to blasting? And whether, by discreet watering and manuring, Trees that bear only some years, may be caused to bear yearly, which some Fruit-trees are observ'd to do in all soils, and others in some soils, and not othersome.

Quære also, if the soyle cause this diversity of fruitfulness by diversity of pulsion, and plenty of sap therein depending, what sort of soyl that is, and how it may be imitated by Art?

Quære farther, Whether pruning the roots, by diversifying the Pulsion, may not also promote the fruitfulness, by taking of those that lead immediately to wood, i.e. the shortest, and of the latter years shooting, and as it were the Suckers of the root, and leaving and nourishing those which feed fruit especially, which are suppos'd to be the longest, and of the former years shooting? And, whether cleaving roots so, as to cause new ones to spring from the inner part of the cleft, held open by a stone, do not help fruitfulness for this cause?

Rh