Bava Batra

What reason is there for R. Meir's opinion in [the case of] one tree, and for that of the Rabbis in [the case of] two trees?  He replied: Do you interrogate me in the house of study on a matter about which the ancients gave no reason, in order to shame me? Rabbah said: What is the difficulty? It is possible that R. Meir was doubtful  about one tree, and the Rabbis about two trees!  But was [R. Meir] in doubt? Surely it is stated [distinctly]: 'Because he has not acquired ownership of the ground. [these are] the words of R. Meir! — This should read: 'Perhaps he has not acquired ownership of the ground!' But ought we not to apprehend lest these are not bikkurim  and [consequently] one would bring into the Temple court unconsecrated [fruit]?  — He consecrates them.  But must not [the priest] eat them [the bikkurim]?  — He redeems them.  But perhaps they are not bikkurim and he thus excludes them from the heave-offering and tithe?  — He does separate [the heave-offering and the tithes from] them. [In the case of] the terumah gedolah  this is correct, [for] he gives it to the priest. The second tithe,  also, he gives to a priest.  The poor man's tithe,  also, he gives to a poor priest,  but to whom does he give the first tithe which belongs to the Levite? — He gives it to a priest in accordance with [the decision of] R. Eleazar b. Azariah. For it has been taught: terumah gedolah  [belongs] to the priest; the first tithe [belongs] to the Levite; these are the words of R. Akiba. R. Eleazar b. Azariah says: The first tithe also [belongs] to the priest.  But perhaps they are bikkurim and [consequently] require recital [of the declaration]?  The recital is not indispensable. [Is it] not [indispensable]? Surely R. Zera said:  Wherever [proper] mingling  is possible the mingling is not indispensable;  but where [proper] mingling is not possible  the mingling is indispensable!  — He acts on the lines of [the teaching of] R. Jose b. Hanina who said:  He who cut [the first ripe fruit] and sent them [to Jerusalem] with a messenger; or [if the] messenger [cut them] and died on the way- [the owner] brings [the fruit] and does not recite [the declaration], for it is written: And thou shalt take  … 'and thou shalt bring',