CHANGES IN COMPOSITION DURING GROWTH. 



17 



TABLE V. Composition of the flesh of peaches at market ripeness and at full ripeness. 



[Percentage of total solids.] 



MARKET RIPE. 



FULL RIPE. 



COMPARISON OF THE TWO STAGES. 



Albuminoids, 1.86; amido bodies, 0.54; total nitrogenous bodies, 2.40. 

 & Albuminoids, 1.82; amido bodies, 0.374; total nitrogenous bodies, 2.19. 



The study of the later stages 'of the life historj- of the peach only 

 tends to emphasize these changes. Thus in Table V we find that 

 between the periods of market ripeness and full ripeness the percent- 

 age of marc decreases from 18.35 to 14.28 per cent and the percentage 

 of sugar increases from about 53 to practically 60 per cent. 



As has been stated before, the absolute changes (as distinguished 

 from relative changes) in the composition of growing fruit can only 

 be determined from the expression of the results in terms of grams 

 per individual, in this case in grams per peach. In Tables VI and VII 

 the results given in the preceding tables have been so expressed. 

 From Table VI it is apparent that the flesh of the peach increases rap- 

 idly, being about eleven times heavier at the date of market ripeness 

 than at the date of the June drop. On the other hand, the increase in 

 the weight of the stone is relatively small. The kernel almost doubles 

 its weight between the time of the June drop and the time of the 

 hardening of the stone and after that its weight does not appreciably 

 change. 



