276 MINNESOTA BOTANICAL STUDIES. 



3. The grand maximum of daily increase occurred 11 days 

 after pollination, and 11 days previous to the beginning of the 

 ripening period, which occupied 12 days. 



4. The maximum daily increase occurred at times between 

 8 P. M. and 3 a. m. The maximum daily decrease occurred 

 between 9 a. m. and 5 p, m. 



5. During " ripening " an extended decrease lasting 

 throughout the daylight hours, was quickly followed by the 

 maximum increase. This was not true during the growing 

 period. The rapid flow of sap to the ripe fruit was perhaps 

 promoted by the high endosmotic equivalent of the cell sap in 

 the fruit. 



6. At the time of the grand maximum increase, the fruit 

 gained 1 gram per minute. At the time of the greatest de 

 crease it lost 0.4 grams per minute. 



7. At the time of the grand maximum the fruit gained 

 732 grams in 24 hours. 



8. No actual loss in weight of the fruit occurred before it had 

 reached the maximum of the grand period. 



9. Immediately following the grand maximum, the daily 

 decrease rose in amount until the middle of the ripening 

 period, when it fell. The lessening of the amount of decrease 

 was due to the cuticularization of the epidermis. 



10. The weight of the fruit at the time of the grand maxi- 

 mum was approximately one-half its final weight. 



11. Increase and decrease may occur at any hour of the day. 



12. The greatest decrease occurred at the time of the least 

 relative humidity, and consequent greatest transpiration of 

 leaves and fruit. 



13. The fruit responded much more readily, by changes in 

 weight, to variations in temperature, humidity and other 

 atmospheric conditions, in the earlier stages of development. 



14. Decrease in weight was due directly to the transpiration 

 of the fruit, and indirectly to the transpiration of the leaves. 



15. The fruit showed an increase at any time when trans- 

 piration was checked by increased humidity of the air. 



16. Low temperature and frost established an equilibrium, 

 arresting growth and checking the transpiration stream. 



17. The "ripened" fruit, or one severed from the plant, ex- 

 hibited a daily periodicity in loss of weight corresponding to 

 that of a growing fruit. 



18. In the ripened fruit attached to the plant, the daily loss 

 in the morning by transpiration, was nearly balanced by the 

 gain at night by osmose. 



