14 



POMOLOGY 



as invert sugar) increased from the first examination to the 

 date of the disappearance of the starch. After this date the 

 curve, representing the total sugar as invert, merges with 

 that indicating the total carbohydrates as invert sugar. In 

 the Rhode Island Greening, the total carbohydrate content 

 decreased to some extent after the disappearance of the 

 starch. This latter was not true, however, of some other 

 varieties studied. 



12. Changes in composition of the peach during growth 

 and ripening.^ — In determining the chemical changes which 

 take place in the growing peach, the fruit was selected at the 

 following times for analysis: (1) after the June drop, (2) when 

 the stone hardens, (3) when market ripe, and (4) when 

 fully ripe. The varieties used were Triumph, Rivers, Early 

 Crawford, Stump, Elberta, Orange Smock, and Heath Cling. 



The following data illustrate the marked changes in com- 

 position between the early stages of growth and when the 

 peach is fully ripe : 



Table VI 



COMPOSITION OF PEACHES AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH 

 COMPOSITION OF WHOLE FRUIT (AFTER BIGELOW AND GORE) 



Average of 

 six varieties 



Stage of growth 



June drop 

 Stone hardened 

 Market ripe 



Weight 



of 

 peach 



Grams 

 9.51 

 16.75 

 73.59 



Per 



rent 

 64.55 

 71.54 

 92.49 



Per 



cent 

 32.50 

 25.82 



6.86 



Per 

 cent 

 2.94 

 2.89 

 .65 



Total solids in 

 flesh stone kernel 



Per. 



cent 

 14.77 

 16.97 

 14.04 



Per 

 cent 

 9.37 

 27 . 35 

 66.94 



Per 



cent 



7.. 54 

 44.78 



1 After Bigelow, W. D., and H. C. Gore. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bur. Chem. 

 Bull. 97. 1905. 



