852 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Ash of Concord Grape (Unfertilized). 



It will be noticed that the changes resulting from the 

 application of the special fertilizers, superphosphate and 

 potash, are very marked in the increase of these two con- 

 stituents of the ash ; and, by comparing the above with the 

 organic analysis of the wild natural seedling, it will be seen 

 that there is a corresponding increase in the most important 

 organic constituent (the sugar), and a decrease of free acid. 



The wild seedling was taken for the organic analysis from 

 the fact that it was supposed to be in a more natural condi- 

 tion, and that the effect of special fertilizers would be more 

 marked. In the ash analysis of the Concord grape the in- 

 crease of potassium oxide is 7.50 per cent, and that of phos- 

 phoric acid, 2.40 per cent. In the organic analysis of the wild 

 seedling the increase of sugar in the solid parts was 9.80 per 

 cent, and in the juice 5.29 per cent ; and the free acid in the 

 juice was found to have decreased 8.69 per cent. 



The ability to effect such decided changes in the composi- 

 tion of our fruits cannot but be of the greatest importance 

 to horticulturists in improving the quality of the now cul- 

 tivated varieties, and also in producing new varieties of a 

 desired quality. If we can change the composition of our 

 fruits in one or two of its elements, by the application of 

 the proper food, why cannot we change the proportion of 

 any element ? In the seed is stored up the element of the 



