Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/32

 with alternative rests every second or third year. The fruit had scarce any core; the kernels were very small; thin and emptie; neverthelesse the branches from the knots grew well enough to replenish a Nursery for me. This seems to indicate the Correspondence between the Pithy part, Heart or Timber, and the Seeds. And more to confirme this; A youug tree grew like a Sucker from the only sound Root of the aforesaid Apple-tree. This tree grew straiter then others of the same kinde usually do; of which I conceive the cause to be this: Suckers are commonly barren a pretty long time; and this continued barren, til the stem was strong enough to bear the fruit which loaded the branches. But that, which makes to our purpose, is this; All the fruit of r his young tree had ful and sound Kernels, and though it was the same fruit, growing from the Root of the same tree; yet it seem'd-not altogether so tender, delicious and juycy, as the fruit of the old tree; nor yet was the tree so fruitfull. The Sap in the old tree was less diverted, it seems, to sustaine the life of the timber, which was now confirmed; and thereby was wholy appropriated for the leaf, blossom, and the pulp of the fruit. For I do not undertake, that the Sap yeilds no relief to sustain the life and growth of the timber ordinarily, and whilst the timber is entire; but I rather conceive, that there is a more immediate and peculiar relation between the Sap and Pulpous fruit, and the like between the Timber or whole stock, and the Root of the Tree, to transmit the same spirit and nature to the Seed of what kind soever it be.

Some are of opinion, that there passes into the Timber no part of meer Earth to sustain the life and growth of the Plant, but it only feeds on the succulent part ascending by the Roots, and on the Air, and the moisture, which-the Dews of Heaven, the Rainy seasons, and the Air afford. And if we consider, that some lofty trees grow upon the Rocks, where little or no earth can be found; as also, how largly the Oak and Pear-tree grows and spreads, and how many years the one bears Acorns, the other Pears, somtimes to the quantity of yeilding 5. or 6. hogsheads yearly (as I have known them do;) and in comparison how little wast of Earth about the roots appears; we may find more cause to attribute this large expence of materials to the Rh