ANALYSIS OF FRUIT. 21 



tains several pounds of mineral matter, the whole of 

 which is gathered by it, through the roots and branches 

 from the soil. 



The following table shows the analysis of the ashes of 

 apples at different stages of growth and different sizes, 

 the quantities of the various ingredients being given in 

 parts per 100. 



Unripe Ripe Small 



Apples. Apples. Apples. 



Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. 



Silica .... 0-58 1-23 2'16 



Ferric oxide . . 0'47 046 2'16 



Phosphoric acid . . 8'96 8'20 873 



Lime .... 6'85 5*66 8'85 



Magnesia . . . 4*80 4'30 4'7G 



Potash .... 54-02 56'74 52'44 



Soda .... 2-10 1-94 2'08 



Undetermined . . 2222 21'47 20'62 



The only ingredients contained in the ash which there 

 is any need of noting, are the phosphoric acid, potash, 

 and lime ; for these are the only ones in which the soil is 

 likely to become deficient, and therefore which need to be 

 returned to the land to keep up its fertility. 



From the above analysis we find there would be taken 

 from an acre of land yielding 100 bushels of fruit by 

 sample No. 1, 6 Ibs. phosphoric acid, 37f Ibs. potash, and 

 4| Ibs. lime ; by sample No. 2, 71bs. phosphoric acid, 371bs. 

 potash, and 3^ Ibs. lime ; by sample No. 3, 7-^ Ibs. phos- 

 phoric acid, 43 Ibs. potash, and 7J Ibs. lime. 



From these facts we learn the importance of thinning 

 fruit as soon as it is of sufficient size, and also that it 



