TO make Roses come late First cut them after bearing This may be a meanes as to some Rose-trees that is such as are old I have knowne some of long standing perhaps a dozen sixteene or twenty yeares of age and some of seaven or eight yeaâ—es cut newly after bearing have borne Roses againe a secâ—nd time late in the yeare being cut the next full moone after they have done bearing but there is a kind I have amongst many other kâ—nds which naturally beares a second time although the tree be but small and young besides the Rose called the Monthly Rose Secondly Pulling off the buds of the Roses that first spring forth I have try'd this second way which succeeded not it may be because the trees were young but one affirmed he pluckt off some Buds in the spring and the tree bore Roses in November Thirdly Cutting top Boughes in the spring This hath bâ—en tryed also but was ineffectuall but the tryall was upon young trees as for the Report that followes in this Experimâ—nt of Cyons perishing if the old top boughes be cut offâ— it is otherwâ—se for it is a common Experiment to cut off all the boughs of a tree and to graft them and the Grafts will not only not perish but grow the better therefore as having all the sâ—p to themselves which naturally riseth the sunne also drawing it up without the help of any top bough left as continuall Experience shâ—wes Fourthly Laying the Roots bare about the end of December Mâ—ny hundredâ— of trees are thus bared yet I find no difference at all in the late budding or bearing of such trees from others Fifthly Removing the tree some Months before it buddeth This hath been done but the Trees being removed so unseasonably too late they grew poorely so the end was not attained Sixthly Grafting Roses in May I know an ingenious Geâ—tleman that tryed this Experimentâ— Inoculating Buds in the spring which budded for Roses at the same time that others of the same kind did which buds being cut off they bore Roses afterwards the same yeare when others were gone Seaventhly Girding the body of the tree with some Packthread This will not do it neither we see commonly that grafts tyed straight with strong flaggs and some branches of wall-trees nailed straight to the wall so that I have seene the bark dinted in with the straitnesse of the Lether yet for all that sap riseth plentifully through the place so girded up into the branch Eightly Planting them in the shade I have knowne Rose-trees in a shady place which have not bore at all it s a tree that loves the sunne So that I suppose this Experiment will not hold I have try'd it in one or too and it succeeds not Experiments touching the Melioration of Fruits Trees and Plants AN heape of Flint or stone laid about the bottome of a Tree upon the fiâ—st Planting makâ—s it prosper much Stones laid to the Roots of Fruit-trees when newly set is a good Experiment in some grounds but not in all its true stones so laid keep the Roote of the Tree somewhat more moist and warme and stedy that winds shake it not and so are profitable but there is danger in some grounds leâ—t they harborâ—Ants or Pismires about the Tree Root under the stones which I have seen to the hurt and destruction of divers young trees But it is a sâ—fer and better way to lay a good quantity of rotten dung or litter straw c. round about the Roots of new set Trees upon the top of the mould this keeps them warme in winter and coole and moist in sommer and Stedy and the moisture and fatnesse of the muck sokes downe to the Roots and refreshes the tree very much or for want thereof lay a heap of weeds round about the new set tâ—ee Rootâ— and so all the next sommer afâ—er these things are speciall advantages to new set tâ—ees A Trâ—e at fiâ—st setting should not be shaken but aâ—ter a yeares roâ—tiâ—g thâ—n sâ—aking is good When yâ—ung Trees are first planted it s very convenient to set a stâ—ke to each of them and tye them together with a hay band or some â—oâ—t band that winds shake them not and this not for a yeare only but divers yeares untill the young trees be weâ—l rooted in the earth and also be growne strong that the winds â—ow not their bodieâ— and cause them to grow crooked which fault I have seene in very many trees Cutting away suckers and side boughes make trees grow high All suâ—kâ—rs must be cut away from the Roots of Trees And as for side branches those may be cut as men are minded to have their Trees to spread neerer or highâ—r from the ground but cuâ— not the side branches too soone bâ—fore the body be growne stroâ—g enough to beare the head else it will be top heavy and gâ—ow crooked To have many new Roots of Fruit-trees lay the Branches in the gâ—ound c. The branchâ—s of all kinds of trees will not take Roote thus Thiâ— way of Pâ—opagation is only for some kinds As Mulberries Figâ— Vineâ— Qâ—oâ—liâ—gs Nurs-gardens and some other kinds of Tâ—eeâ— whose brancâ—â—s are sofâ— and porous As for Aprecots Pâ—aches and such like they will not take Roote thus I have try'd but not one Roote could be got neither will they take wâ—â—h graftâ—ng I have try'd many The way to propagate these kindâ— is by Inoculaâ—ing buâ—s upon young stocks full of â—ap From May to Iuly you may take off the barke of any bough c. and set it and it will grow to be a faire tree in one yeare the cause may be for that the baring from the barke keepeth the sap from descending towards winter It is true that the Boughes of some kinds of trees will take Roote in this manner as is here exprest that is such kinds as will take roote with laying downe in the ground mentioned in the last Experiment which being cut off and set may grow to be a fâ—ire tree in certaine yeares not in one yeare as is said for the Roots got in this manner are but small and very disproportionable to the bough so that it can come on but very poorely and slowly for divers yeares As for the baring from the barke which is supposed to keepe sap from descending towards Winter I say the sap is as farre from descending when the barke is on as when t is off there 's no such thing in nature as descention of sap in any trees whatsoever This worthy Authour took this upon trust according to the generall opinion of men for had he but stayed a little to consider it he would have found it groundlesse and a meere conceit For all the sap that asscends into the body and branâ—hes of a tree is changed into wood barke buds blossomes leaves
and fruits it is turned into that body and substance which we see above ground and none at all descends at any time for there is no Cause and therefore no such effect sap is continually asscending all the yeare long more or lesse either for the growth of the tree or for the conservation of it in life and in all its dimensionâ— for there is a continuall extraction of sap out of the body boughes and branches by the sunne and aire as this Auâ—hour elsewhere asserts and which Experience proves Now if there were at any time a descention also what then would become of the tree it would qâ—ickly wither be contâ—acted and shrinke apparently whosoever is unsatisfied with what is here said against descention of sap in trees may see hereof more largely many Arguments against it in my Treatise of Fruit-treesâ— pag. 100.101.102 c. If Trees beare not bore a hole through the heart of the tree and it will beare Perhaps this course may do some good in letting out superfluous sap if too much repletion be the cause But there are divers other Causes of barrennesse of Fruit-trees As too deepe setting the Roots running downe into gravell Clay water c. which must have answerable remedies And sometimes it is in the nature of the trees that all the culture in the world used to the Roots and body will not help without engrafting the branches with Grafts of some good bearing kinds which is the best way I know to have store of good fruits and speedily too from barren trees To make Trees beare cleave the chiefe Roots and put in a small pebble This may be profitable not only for that the Roote may be bark-bound as well as the body and branches which must be scored downe and cut to the wood but also it will cause the Roots to shoote forth many young small Roots at the place opened which will afford more vigour life and sap to the branches and so make the tree stronger and more in heart and able to bring forth more and fairer fruits Trees against a south-wall have more of the heate of the sunne then when they grow round Aprecots Peaches and such like cold fruits will scarce ripen but against a south-wall they have need both of the direct and reflex beames of the sunne And if it were more practised to set some other choice kinds of fruits upon a south-wall as the great Burgaimâ—t sommer Boncriteu Greene-field Peare and other speciall kinds this would advantage them greatly not only in bignesse but also in their early ripening and goodnesse of tast thus one or a few would be worth many ordinary ones Some pull off the leaves from wall-trees that the sunne may come the better upon the boughs and fruit This may hasten ripening but I conceive it hinders the bignesse of the fruits the sunne ripening them before they have attained their naturall greatnesse in case it prove then very hot weather so that if leaves be pulled off it should not be till fruits are at biggest The lownesse of the bough maketh the fruit greater and to ripen bâ—tter c. Graft a tree low and maintaine only the lower boughâ— Low trees and the lower boughs of high trees have their fruit ripe somewhat sooner then the higher because they have some benefit by the reflection of the sunne from the Earth as well as from the wall if they grow against a wall but that the fruits are greater on lower then on higher boughs I perceive not I am sure I have seene sometimes faire fruit on the higher boughes and but small on the lower in case the branches of a wall-tree have beene permitted to grow straight upwards without bowing downe along the wall as most commonly they be and the reason is plaine because the most and greatest quantity of sap presseth upwards and leaveth the side branches indigent of sap whereby they grow poorely and some even dye for want of sap now according to the quantity of sap in branches so are the fruits smaller or greater It is true indeed many little and low trees if they be vigorous and shoote well beare very large fruits it may be larger then high trees of the same kinds but this is not because low but because they are more lively and vigorous then the other And if we should graft a Tree low and maintaine only the lowâ—r branches by continually cutting off the higher this would much enfeeble the tree by degâ—ees by obstructing of the sâ—p and the fruit would be accordingly But the bâ—st way to order a wall-tree that shoots upwards strongly is to bow those strong branches along the wall both waies and then there will be as large fruits on the lower as on the higher boughes and sooner ripe To have fruit in greater plenty the way is to graft not only upon young stâ—cks but upon divers boughs of an old tree c. It is an excellent Experiment to graft the boughes of an old tree that is a bad bearer or bears bad fruits with grafts of some speciall good bearing kinds for this will have large branches and beare fruits even in a yeare or two so that it is a very unwise course of many who when some of their trees beare not as they would have them cut them downe and set young ones in their Roome which cannot possibly attaine the bignesse of the former in many yeares Digging yearely about the Roots of Trees is a great meanes both to the accâ—leration and melioration of fruits c. Old trees that grow in stiffe cold clay grounds have most neede to be dug about yearely that thereby the gound may be more open and mellow but for young trees of few yeares standing especially if in sandyâ— mellâ—w grounds these have little or no neede at all of digging about To dig about Roses and such like which gâ—ow neeâ—e the top of the groundâ— I conceive it is needlesse for this wâ—rk is chiâ—fly to open the earth about old fruit-trees whose Rooâ—s are growne great and deepe that the Rainâ— Snow and Sunne in winâ—er may reach the bottome Roots A Fruit-tree almost blowne up by the Roots and set up againe the nâ—xt yeare bore exceedingly loosing the earth comforteth any Tree I was not long since at the raising up of a couple of faire Appâ—e-trees blowne downe the one Rooted and bore well afterwards the other died Though digging about the Roots sometimes be good yet overmuch digging and loosening the earth about the Roots of trees will cause many to be blowne downe by great winds which will not fasten againe to abide a strong wind in many yeares if ever To revive an old tree the digging of it about the Roots and applying new mould to the Roots is the way and change of mould to the better is prâ—fitable Dâ—ggâ—ng as hath beene said with caution is good and change of
of Culture degenerate to be baser in the same kind and sometimâ—s to change into another kind 1. By standing long unremoved 2. By drought and drynesse of the Earth 3. By the Barrennesse of the earth removing Plants into worse mould or forbearing to renew and help the ground with dung or fresh mould It hath been (a) said That Violets and some other Flowers will change from double to single or change in colour when the mould wherein they grow becomes barren and hartlâ—sse through neglect which is the same in substance with all the three particulars mentioned in the Experiment Therefore there is need of some fresh mould from yeare to yeare for the preserving of Flowers in their perfection See hereof at large Experiment 506. and 510. Whatsoever Fruit useth to be set upon a Roote or slip if it be sowen will dâ—generate And most of those Fruits that use to be Grafted if thâ—y be set of kernells or stones degenerate It is true that Peaches do better upon stones set then upon Grafting And the Rule of exception should seeme to be this That whatsoever Plant requireth much moisture prospereth better upon the stone or kernell then upon the Graft For the stock though it giveth a finer nourishment yet it giveth a scanter than the Earth at large The reason why Fruits that come of Seede or stones do degenerate for the most part and become worse then the Fruits out of which the seede was taken I conceive to be this Fruits that come of seede or stones do partake both of the Graft and of the stock of that tree from which they were taken so that although the graft was of a speciall good and choice kind yet the stock whereon it was engrafted being a Crabtree or some other wild kind of Fruit-tree the seede participates of both Graft and stock and so brings forth a mungrell fruit between them both For although Grafts governe as hath beene said and may be said to bring forth the same kinds yet so as that the stock hath some influence into the Fruits according to the goodnâ—sse or badnesse of the stock But now In case the Tree from which seeds or stones are taken be an ungrafted tree one that came of seede it selfe then I doubt not but that the seede of that Tree will bring forth the very same kinds againe without any alteration As to that the Authour saies concerning Peaches that they come better of stones then grafting I suppose there is a mistake in this for although it be true that some Peaches will come good of seede yet doubtlesse not better then by Inoculating they take not with Grafting for we see by constant Experience that Peach Buds set upon good stocks will bring forth the very samâ— as the trees from which they were cut if the rest of their culture and ordering be the same or as good And as for some that have come of stones I have observ'd they have beene none of the best many that have come of stones have beene starke nought though some have beene good And why Peaches or any other kind of fruit should be thought to come better of stones or sâ—eds then by Grafting or Inoculating I apprehend not any reason as for that which is given That the stock giveth a scanter nourishment then the earth at large let it be considered The Twigs and Branches of a Peach tree or any other tree that came of seede or stones they receive sap and nourishment from a stem or body and Roote as wâ—ll as if the Tree were engrafted the twigs and branches of an ingrafted tree have as free and full nourishment without any obstruction as the branches of aâ—ungrafted tree the branches of a grafted tree have no finer nourishment noâ—scanter then the branches of an ungrafted trâ—â— for we know the Roote and Body of a Grafâ—ed tree and of an ungrafted tree are alike and the earth is as free to the one as to the other It is reportedâ— That a good strong Canvas spread over a tree grafted low soone after it putteth forth will dwarfe it and make it spread The Cause is plaine for that all things grow as they find roome It is true as is said That Cloth sometimes spread over a tree grafted low and suffered to lye on for a time will cause it to spread much And that this may be improved for our use and benifit this may be done To plant some few Cherry trees Plum trees or other kinds grafted low and caused to spread much and kept from rising up by this meanes keep the earth bare cleane from weeds grasse or any thing growing under or about them such trees if they be good kinds will beare much and fairer fruits then high trees the reflection of heate from the earth will be almost as strong as from a wall And the fruits may be kept long growing upon the Trees even till after September or October For if a Cloth be sometimes in hot weather spread over them and moistned it will keep the fruits from ripening too soone yet shade them not too much lest they come not to full ripenesse Afterwards the fruits being ripe some old Canvas haire-cloth or such like may be spread over them to preserve the fruits from Birds and may be so kept long look that snailes eate them not Or else a Net may be spread over such trees to preserve the Fruits I have knowne faire Cherries upon Trees towards the middle of October I conceive the great bearing Cherry or other late ripe tart Cherries to be the best to keepe long in this manner such are more hardy then other kinds Cherries very late are as great Rarities as those that are early Trees are generally set of Roots or kernells but if you set them of slips as the Mulberry c. they will grow and those as is reported will be dwarfe trees the Cause is for that the slip draweth nourishment more weakly then either a Roote or kernell Mulberry-tree slips and some other kinds of trees that will grow of slips may be made dwarfe trees if we will order them accordingly that is if we suffer all the side branches to grow or such slips taking Roote may be made high trees in time if we cut off all the side branches and preserve only the middle straight shoote But indeed at first for certaine yeares they must needs be dwarfe trees untill they can rise higher which in time they will do if they take Roote well and the ground be good In Clay grounds all Fruit-trees grow full of Mosse both upon body and Boughes which is caused partly by the coldnesse of the ground whereby the Plants nourish lesse And partly by the Toughnesse of the earth whereby the sap is shut in c. We see by Experience that trees growing upon cold and moist grounds or Clay gravâ—ll barrâ—n grounds do generally breed Mossâ— which is caused as the
from which they are cut do bring â—orth the same fruits so also do Buds though they be much smaller then grafts when Inoculated upon wild stocks As concerning the choice of stocks in grafting in order to the advancement of fruits it is certaine the goodnesse of the stocks in respect of nature and kind is very considerable The sweeter and better the stock is the better will the fruit be that is engrafted thereon Though it be true that grafts governe and bring forth the same fruits according to their owne kinds yet the stock hath some considerable influence upon the fruit of the graft and thence it is that Peares upon a Quince as the Authour speaks of are better then the â—ame kind upon a wild Peare stock as Experience shewes because a Quince is a more excellent fruit then a wild Peare so the nourishment of the stockâ— is answerable It is set downe as try'd that a mixture of Brane and Swines dung or Chaffe and Swines-dung rotten is a great nourisher and comforter to a Fruit-tree There is no doubt but Swines dung or any other dung with other Composts laid together till they be rotten will nourish and comfort fruit-trees and better when they are throughly rotten turned to mould then before because new dung may be too hot It is delivered by some that if one take the bough of a low tree newly budded and draw it gently into an earthen Pot perforated at the bottome to let in the Plant and then cover the Pot with earth it will yeild a very large fruit within ground the like will be effected by an empty pot with some few pertusions made in the Pot hang'd in the Tree Concerning the first of these waies I suppose the fruit growing upon the bough so bowed downe into a Pot will not be so large as the fruit upon the other boughes because we see by Experience it is against the nature of sap to runne vigorously or in any great plenty into bougheâ— bended downewards so neere the earth as this must needs be for sap presseth upwards in greatest plenty and consequently those fruits will be greatest which have most sap I meane such as are of one kind upon one tree And concerning the second mâ—anes by the perforated Pot hang'd in the tree that is more likely to worke the effect as to the greatnesse of fruit not so much I suppose because of the pertusions or holes in the Pot as by the shade that the fruit has by the Pot for although fruit that growes in the sunnâ— be much better and more pleasant then that which growes in the shade as being better coâ—cocted yet that in the shade of the same kind is commonly the gâ—eater but more flat dull and inconcoct as we see in Aprâ—cots Cherries c. undeâ—â—he leaves All trees in high and sandy grounds are to be sâ—t dâ—ep and in watry groundâ— more shâ—llow And all trâ—es when thâ—y be removâ—d â—specially Fruit-trâ—â—s care ought to be taken that the sides of the Trees be coasted North and South as they stood before It is true that trees on higher grounds are to be set somewhat dâ—â—per then in moist grounds yet bewaâ—e of setting below the good scylâ— in any groundâ— As for coasting of trees that is setiâ—g the same side to the South when tranâ—planted as was before the Rule is good but not necessary for many thousands are transplanâ—ed wâ—â—h gâ—od successe not observing which side grew Noâ—th or South howsoever some reasons migh be shew'd why t is best to observe it if it may conveniently be done Fâ—uit-trees set upon a wall against the sunne betweene â—lbâ—wes or Butâ—eressâ—s of stone ripen mâ—re then upon a plaine wall Fruit-trees soset have their fruits ripe sooner then thoâ—e upon a plaine wall no so much because they are dâ—fended better from winds but chiâ—â—lâ— because theâ— have a double or â—reble dâ—gree of heate to wâ—at those upon a plaine wall have the heâ—te being pent in by the Eâ—bâ—wes or Buâ—terâ—sses of the wall and so râ—â—lâ—cts the stronger upon the fruits and trees there is a double reflection of heate upon such Grafting Elms or other unfruitfull trees will make their Leaves largâ—r as in Fruit-trees the Graft maketh the greater fruit Grafting barely considered as Grafting will not do this it will neither make Leaves nor Fruits fairer but as stocks are chosen for the purpose for though it be true as hath been elsewhere said that Grafts governe and overrule the stocks bringing forth the same leaves and fruits when grafted as before according to their owne Natures yet it is true also that the stocks have some small influence upon them in making the fruits better or worse in tast and bignâ—sse and so of the leaves in fairenesse according to the goodnesse or badnesse of the stocks yet notwithstanding Grafâ—s and Buds inoculated may be said to rule and bring forth the same fruits else it were in vaine to Graft Barrâ—nnesse of trees commeth of their overgrowing with Mosse or their being Hide bound or planting too dâ—â—pe or by issuing of the sap too much into the Leaves There are severall Causes of the barrennâ—sse of trees I conceive Mossinesse as Mossinesse is not the cause of barrennâ—ssâ— but the Causes of Mossinesse are the Cauâ—es of barrennesse which are Coldnesse overmoistnesse and barrennesse of the soyle where the trees grow Therefore such soyles must be amended See how Treatise of Fruit-trees pag. 114. Also barrennesse is often by reason of the excessive sap and moisture of trees which is mâ—nifest by their strong and vigorouâ— shoots branches and broad greene leaves as in many young full-fed trees for while nature is vigorous and active spending it selfe that wâ—y in the excessive growth of the Tree it is then weake and feeble in bearing of fruits Now as to some kinds of trees it is not best for some time to go about to remove the Cause that is as to standard Apple-trees Peare-trees and other kinds which gâ—ow in the Oâ—chards and fields at large but let them alone let them go on in â—heir large and vigorous growthes for certaine yeares though they beare bâ—t little provided that we know they aâ—e naturally of good bearing kinds otherwise it is in vaine to waiâ—e for store of fruits from such trees After that such trees have growen exceedingly some yeares and attained a faire large growth they will then by degrees grow lesse in the branches and fall to bearing of fruits But in case the trees are Wall-trees and shooâ—e excessively and beare not then it will be best to take away the Cause as much as we can that is First abate their overfull and rank nouâ—ishment by putting in sand gravell Buck-ashes or any thing that is barren insteed of the â—at soyle Secondly also cut off and part one or two of the biggest Roots from the body that so it may have lesse
nourishment and that left will turne to fruits Thirdly Bend downewards the branches and fasten them to the wall with their tops as low as may be this obstructs and restraines the excessive â—â—sing of sap which rising moderâ—tely turnes to fruiâ—â— But if the Trees are Naturally bad bearers if barren upon that account then there is no remedy for such but grafting them agâ—in with Grafts taken from some good bearing kinds which are knowne by yearely experience to beare fruits well It hath beâ—ne set downe by one of the Ancients that two twiggs of severall Fruit-trees flatted on the sides and bound together and set thâ—y will come up in one stock And that Vines of red and white grapes slatted and bound togâ—ther will beare Grapes of severall colours upon one branch Alâ—o the shoots of divers seeds will incorporate And that young trees of severall kinds set contiguous will incorporate These and such like are prescribed in order to the compounding of Fruits Concerning compounding or mixing of divers kinds of fruits whereof to make one new kind these things before mentioned and many such like have beene prescribed by Ancient Authours which are of the number of those things (a) Sr Francis Bacon accounts meere imaginations and conceits without any ground or light fâ—om Experiâ—nce He saies (b) elsewhere That many things have beene rashly and with little châ—ice or judgment receivâ—d and registred as appâ—ares in the writings of divers Authours which aâ—e eveâ—y where fraâ—ght and forged with fabulous reports and those not only uncertaâ—â—e and untryâ—d but notoriously untrue to the great derogation of Naturall Philosophy with grave and sober men As for those things before mentioned they can never effect what is promised to produce compound fruits For we see by continuall Experiencâ— that Grafts and Buds though never so small set upâ—n stâ—cks of different kinds do hold their owne and kâ—epe their kinds and so it would be if two long shoots were united or three or many if it were possible to make them incorporate and become one body yet they would retaine every one their owne nature and bring forth each its owne kind of fruit without commixture If any man desire to be set on work about these things he may have pâ—escriptions enoâ—gh out of a certaine Book entituled the Country Farme pag. 360 361 362 363 364 365 c. For more full satisfaction about which and all of that nature see my Treatise of Fruit-trees pag. 91 92 93 c. where these things are spoken to largely But if the thing be possible in Nature to mix and compound fruits the likeliest way that I apprehend is this which I hâ—ve upon tryall but is not yet come to an issue viz To graft one fruit upon another many times over every yeare a dâ—fferent kindâ— so that we keepe still to those kinds that will grow together As first to graâ—t a Crab tree neere the ground with some good kind of Apple graft and the next yeare to graft that agâ—ine a handfull or two above where the first was grafted and the next yeare to graft that second graft and the fourth yeare to graft that third graft a handfull or two above where it was grafted and thus every yeare to set graft upon graft for divers yeares together this probably may make some alteration and commixture in the top branch and its fruit although it be true that every graft keepâ— his owne nature yet so as that it receives some small alteration from the stoâ—k as hath beene said Now the sap arising and passing thâ—ough so many kinds of stocks as before up into the top branches this if any thing I conceive will have an influence into the fruit of the last graft to cause some commâ—xture more oâ— lesse in the fruit the sap passing through so many kinds of stocks Thus as of many kinds of Apples together so also of Peares among themselves and of Cherries and Plums among themselves but as for mixing contrary kinds Apples Peares Cherries Plumâ— c. all together as some prescribe there is no hope nor possibility of any advantage thereby All Plants that draw much nourishment from the earth and exhaust it hurt all things that grow by them as Ash-trees Coleworts c. And where Plants of severall natures which draw severall juyces are set together there the neerenesse doth good As Rue by a Fig-tree Garlicke by a Rose-tree c. It is true indeed That all Trees and Plants that draw much nourishment from the earth are no good neighbours to any thing that growes neere them because such make the earth barren in which plants must needs grow poorely But that severall kinds of Plants draw severall kinds of juyces out of one and the same soyle I much question as that bitter plants Rue Wormwood and the like draw the bitter juyce of the earth and the sweeter kinds as Roses Flowers c. draw the sweeter juyce For can it be immagined that there are so many kinds of juyces in the earth as there are severall kinds of Trees and Plants so that every one should draw only its proper and peculiar nourishment May it not upon better grounds be said that many Trees and Plants growing neere together in a piece of ground though they draw all of them one and the same juyce yet they convert assimilate the same every one into its owne specifique nature We see that in a little Garden where there are it may be divers hundreds or thousands of distinct Plants Trees Flowers Herbs and Simples they growing all upon one and the same soyle do convert the juyce and fatnesse of it into their severall natures by the same Law in Nature as severall kinds of Grafts upon one Tree drawing one and the same Sap do turne that one kind of nourishment into their severall natures whereby they bring forth as we see by experience distinct and severall kinds of Fruits made of the same single juyce or sap of the Tree whereon they all grow this they would do if there were all or many kinds of Apples grafted upon one great Crab-tree and so of Peare-trees Cherry-trees and the like upon their owne kinds though multitudes of distinct kinds of grafts draw one and the same sap yet every one changes it into its owne nature and why should it not be so also with severall plants drawing one and the same juyce out of the earth So that I cannot conceive that those things mentioned or the like if try'd would succeed to the purpose viz That Rue set by a Fig-tree will make the Figs tast sweeter or Garlike set by Rose-trees will make Roses smell sweeter or sorrell set by Rasps will make the Rasps sweeter and the like because severall or contrary kinds of Plants meete not with severall kinds of juyces in the same Soyle shâ—ll we think there are hundreds or thousands of severall juyces in one Garden though they draw the same juyce they
convert it and assimilate it into their severall natures accordâ—ng to the innaâ—e and intrinsâ—call Formeâ—hat every one hath as was said before of severall kinds of grafts upon one tree The altering of the Sent Colour or Tast of Fruit by infusing mixing or letting into the Bark or Rootâ— of the tree Herb or Flower any coloured arâ—maticall or Medicinall substance are but Fancies All alteration of vegetables in those quâ—lities must be by somewhat that is apt to go into the nourishment of the Plant. Divers Authours in their Books of planting Fruit-trees have given severall directions for the altering of the Sent Colour and Tast of Fruits but none of them from any well grounded Experience Many particulers are mentioned and set downe at large with reasons and Experience against them that men may not be deceived by them and loose their tâ—me cost and labour about such Fancies See pag. 91 92. c. of the Treatise of Fruit-trees But as this Authour saâ—es well The lâ—keliest way to make herbs and fruits Medicinable and to give them a good relish is the often watring of the Tree or Plant with that substance which we desire they should pertâ—ke of for this is certaine and we see it by manifest experience that Plants and fruits of Trees do somewhat tast and partake of the nature and virtues of that kind of nourishment which they continually draw As if Trees grow upon a low mâ—ist watrish ground the fruits will be more spongy and watrish then the same kinds of fruits where the trees gâ—ow upon a dry sandy soyle So if Cabbages Turneps Carrâ—ts and such like grow in a Rancke Soyle full of Filâ—h and Dung they have a virtue and relish accordingly not halfe so sweeâ—e and pleasant as the same kinds growing upon pure moâ—ld or sweet sandy soyle so here If men think it worth the while if they judge it will answer their labour cost and time to water Fruit-trees herbs plants and flowers with Aromaticall and Medicinall substances Infusions of Cinamon Ginger Cloves Mace and such like spices to give a pleasant relish or for physicall respects with Hellâ—bore Opium Scammony c. If they can afford to give them enough from time to time of these things waâ—ring their Roots abundantly therewith why then its probable such Plants will somewhat pertâ—ke of their virtues but as for slitting of their Roots or perforating the body of the Tree and infusing the medicine or steâ—ping the sâ—ede or kernell in sâ—me Liquor wherein the mâ—dicine is infusâ—d these I account aâ— good as nothing not only for that the virtues cannot be communâ—caâ—ed or transâ—used by this meanes but also because though they weâ—e carried to all the parâ—s of treeâ— and plants yet suâ—h â—mall quantities would be indiscernable the effect would be as nothing at all The VI CENTURY IT is a curiosity to have severall fruits upon one tree some early and sâ—mâ— late ripe fruits all sâ—mmâ—r This is done by Grafting sâ—verall â—ruits upon one tree But I conceive the diversity of fruits must be such as wâ—ll grafâ— upon the same stocke not contrary kinds It is true as the Authour saies that severall fruits may be grafâ—ed or Inoculated upon one tree some early and some late but yet as he also observes they must be of such as will take and grow together as many â—inds of Applâ—s upon one tree so of Peares and of Châ—rries among themsâ—lves and the lâ—ke And it is not true which some Authours have written that Cherries and Plums Figgs Nuts Peaches and such like will grow together upon one tree Yet a Book intituled the Country farme composed by some Doctors of Physicke and other inexperienced men is full of such odde conceits pag. 360 361 c. It is a curiâ—sity to have fruits of divers shapes and figuresâ— This is easily performed by moulding them when the fruit is young with moulds of earth or wood â—f severall shapes on the inner side as it is in mould workes of Liquid thingâ—â— let the moulds be made partible in the middle that they may be opened Also Trees or Fruits may be with Inscriptions and engravings upon them by writing with a Nâ—edle or Bodkin or Knife when the Trees and Fruits are young and as they grow greater so the Letters or figures will be more plaine If men be not content with the Naturall forme of Fruits they may if they have so much leasure to spâ—re put them into moulds as is said to make them of an artificiall forme As for Inscriptions figuresâ— and shapes upon Fruit trees that is as the Authour saies performed by scoring through the Baâ—ke with the poynt of a knife in the spring or summer what Lettersâ— or Words or Figures a man pleaseth which as the tree growes will become more plaine and discernable and that for many yeares after I use to make a Letter or two or three or more upon all young trees that I graft whereby to know the severall kinds of Fruits or if any be stolen and found againe they may thereby be knowne And I have perceived the Letters plainely Nine or Ten yeares after or more But as for the prescriptions of some Authours about these things they are vaine and ridiculous who direct to write upon the kernellâ— of seeds that we sow and set and upon the Buds that we inoculate what letters or shape we please and the fruits coming thereof will have the samâ— upon them See hereof Treatise of Fruit-trees pag. 97. You may have Trees apparelled with Flowers or herbs by boring holes in the bodies of them and putting into them good mould and setting slips or â—owing seeds therein those Roots of a more Ligneous nature will perhaps incoâ—porate with the tree it selfe This is a Curiosity indeed which may be done as the Authour saies by mâ—king hâ—les in Trees and putting in good mould care must be taken to make them slopewaies with the bottome downewards that so both mould and moisture may keepe in them about the Roots of things that are set But yet I should be loath to spoyle a good tree thus for it must needs make it rot and perish in a certaine time howsoever for one or two of indifferent kinds it may raâ—her be admitted for satisâ—action in this Curiosity Beauty in Flowers is their preheminence It is observed that Gilly-flowers Violets c. that are coloured if they be neglâ—cted and not watred nor nâ—w moulded nor traâ—splanted will turne white And its probable that the white with much culturâ— may turne colourâ—d I doubt not but that the Flowers aforementioned and diverâ— oâ—her â—inds will not only lâ—oâ—e the beauty of their Coloâ—rs if they be not sometimes removed into new and bâ—tter mould but also that they will in time change from double to single or else be much â—malâ—r then they will be in frâ—shâ— strong mould Therefore every oâ—her yeare at least let
such variety and châ—iâ—e But for men to find out and shew a particular Cause in Nature of this variety will be as hard to do as to shew a Cause why severall kinds of Grafts upon one tree drawing one and the selfe same sap do yet briâ—g forth different Fruits other then to say they keepe their severall Natures and so convert the same sap into severall kinds of Fruits And why may not the same be said of severall seeds and Roots in one Bed drawing the same juyce of the Earth Concerning sowing of Gilly flower seede I advise those that sow it first to gather it from the fairest and best Clove-Gilly-flower and that iâ— be full ripe ere it be gâ—thered which is when it is turned blackâ— Also seede may be gâ—thered from other double flowers some commend especially the London white others a flower cald the old mans headâ— and say the greatest varieties câ—me from these some are for one and some for another but so it is that most will be single flâ—wers from the best seede but doubtlesse there is much in the ground in which the seede is sowen if it be poore soyle they are more like to be more single then if the ground be speciall rich mould for as was said barren ground as it makes flowerâ—flowerâ—small so sometimes in it they turne from double to single so it may be said as to the seede when sowen It is a Curiosity to have Flowers double which is effected by often Removing them into new earth as on the contrary part double flowers by neglecting and not removing prove single And the way to do it speedily is to sow or set seeds or slips of flowers and as soone as they câ—mâ— up to remove them into new ground that is good Enquire also whâ—ther Inoculating of Flowers as Stock-Gilly-flowers Roses Musk-Roses c. doth not make them double For the first part of â—his Experiment to make Flowers double or fairer it is a good Rule as the Authour hath set downe especially if withall we observe the directions given in the Observation to the 50â—Experimâ—nt in breaking off some of the Buds and Stâ—ms and letting some few grow to be flâ—wers Concerning Inoculating of Flowers Stock Gilly flowers or any other kind I know no such thing and believe it is but a fancy for having heard of it I have considered of the matter and cannot find nor apprehend what it is that should be Inoculated there are no buds nor any thing like a bud to be taken off for that purpose And I have spoken with divers who have had skill in Flâ—wers and they have said they have heard of such a thing but have never seene any thing thereof in Experience There are â—hree other waies sufficient for the propagation of flowers which are by Seede by Slips and by Layers but by Laying is by far the best as is shewed at large in the Observation to the 506. Experiment But as for Inoculating Roses Musk Râ—se and all other kinds that is very commoâ— and sure yet as to the intent of the Authour viz. to make them double it succeeds not and he himselfe hath given the Reason truly upon another occâ—sion That is all Buds and Grafts Rule and keepe their owne Natures and so change not neither as to the making Rosâ—s more doubleâ— or better then they were before nor as to the bettering of any Fâ—uit as hath beene shew'd heretofore The mâ—king of Fruits without Core or Stone is likewise a Curiosity If a Cions or shoote have the Pith finely taken forth and not altogâ—ther but some of it left the better to save the life it will beare a fruit with little or no Core or Stone The like is said to be of dividing a Quick tree downe to the ground and taking out the Puâ— aâ—d then binding it up againe These prescriptions for making Fâ—uits without Core or stone I cannoâ— think are from this worthy Authour but they are such as are set downe by others which I have seene And they are as weake and groundlesse conceits as many other things asserted by them about changâ—ing the species of Fruits and making them of an aromatique and pleasant tast and altering the Colour of Fruits and such like coâ—ceits the variety of which I suppose hath beene sufficiently laid open in a late Treatise of Fruit-trees see there Errors discovered pag. 91 92. c. For let this thing be a little considered and it will appeare to any man that has but halfe an eye to be vaine suppose a shoote or Graft as is here said be cloven and all or most of the pith taken out and adâ—it such a one be Grafted or any way set in the ground so as to take roote and growâ— yet we know all the Bark and Buds are as they were before the taking out of the Pith makes no alteration at all more or lesse we know in all the Buds that are Inoculated not only all the Piâ—h but also all the wood is cast away and noâ—hing made use of but only the Buds and Bark of any young shoote and yet wee see by continuall Experience what the effect iâ— that these Buds bring forâ—h the same Fruits as the trees from which they were taken And if a * young tree were divided and the Pith taken out from the top to the Roote as is said there is lesse Reason if lesse can be that that should work this effâ—ct because all the side twigs if it have any would have pith stâ—ll And if it have none or if the Pith were taken out of all yet we know the increase of the Tree must be still from the Buds which have the same nature in them as Grafts or Buds Inoculated It is very probable that any sower fruit grafted upon a stock that beareth a sweeter fruit may both make the fruit sweeter and more voyd of the harsh matter of the kernells or seeds It is Reported that not only taking out the Pith but the stopping of the juyâ—e of the Pith from rising in the midst and turning it to rise oâ— the outside will make the fruit withouâ— core or stone The Rule is Generall that whatsoever will make a wild Tree a Gardâ—n tree will make a Garden tree to have lesse Core or stone It is true that a sower fruit grafted upon a stock of a sweeter kind will make the fruit somewhat sweeter yet so as that the Graft still governs as this Authour elsewhere hath said and as Experience proves Bâ—t the fruits will have kâ—rnâ—lls and seeds as before As for taking out the Pith or stopping the juyce of the Pith it is all one as to this intention Concerning the generall Rule in the 517 Experiment I know nothing that will make a Wild tree a Garden tree but grafting it with good kinds of grafts And I am sure grafting will not make any fruit to have lesse Core or stone Plants for want