(915)
3. Ethelbert Jay, an ingenious and expert planter in Lemster, supposeth, that the fittest time to inoculate is presently after mid-summer, because (saith he) the Sap descends; but I say, because 'tis then most plentiful, and begins to jelly. The same adscribes it to the sap ascending, to take the bud inoculated before mid-summer; and to the Sap descending, to take it after mid-summer. The time he limits to a few days before mid-summer, and to 8. or 10. dayes after it. Mr. Austin limits 14 dayes before, and as many after; and would have the bud unty'd after 14, days, as I remember.
4. It is all one, whether the Sap be exhausted below, by being converted into wood, roots, or other uses; or by diversion, as when the branch is cut, or the bark opened below: The Sap in both cases descends or rather sinks indifferently to supply the defect, and heal the wound; and so it coms to pass, that there being about mid-summer the greatest plenty of sap in apple- trees, a bud then inoculated will thrive, especially before mid-summer; for then it drawes its share in the Sap ascending, and, all the necessary uses of the upper branches being serv'd, it partakes of the flood of the abounding and superfluous Sap, remitted to it from them.
5. Hence I conclude, that to gird a tree at a convenient distance above the inoculated bud before mid-summer (so as is practised to stay the bleeding of Vines, to gird them below) is an experiment worth trying; that we may know, whether it will cause a stronger shoot of an inoculated bud or no? Or whether it be better, to cut off the head of the stock above the inoculated bud; which my friend informes me will make a better shoot, than in the usual inoculation, if this be done a few dayes before mid-summer. Further, when you gird, it must be tryed in several trees, whether girding long before mid-summer will not stay the ascent of the sap, and cutting of the head, much more? Whereby time may be gained by retarding the season of inoculation, to their benefit, who have very many to inoculate; and in wet season to stay for dry weather, onely fit for this work.
6. If then the Sap in it's subsiding be so considerable in the matter oi inoculation, it seems, that inoculation will hold best
