806 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



termiiies its life period in cold storage. A delay of two weeks in 

 storing winter apples after picking may result in two months 

 shorter keeping time in storage, particularly if the weather is warm 

 at picking time. Sutton Beauty apple from Eastern New York, 

 delayed two weeks before storing was mellow on entering the 

 storage house and by December 22d was badly decayed, while the 

 same variety stored immediately after picking will doubtless keep 

 in perfect condition until spring. Grime's Golden, from West Vir- 

 ginia, delayed a similar length of time was past commercial use 

 by December 21st, while the same variety immediately stored was 

 still in perfect condition. Bartlett pears from Western New York 

 delayed four days between the time of picking and storing began 

 to break down in the storage house within two weeks, while the 

 same variety stored at once after picking was in good condition for 

 two months. 



The effect of the package upon the keeping of fruit in cold stor- 

 age is an important factor, particularly in the case of the more per- 

 ishable fruits. The larger the package the more slowly does the 

 content cool down and the faster the ripening progresses before 

 checked by the cold temperature. With Bartlett pears stored in 

 barrels, a core of ripe fruit is frequently found to develop in the 

 center of the package where the fruit has given up its heat slowly. 

 Such fruit should be stored in boxes or ventilated crates of smaller 

 capacity than the barrel. Winter apples or other fruits which 

 are to remain a long time in cold storage keep best in tight pack- 

 ages which prevent free circulation of air and thus check evapora- 

 tion. In ventilated crates the fruit may shrivel, particularly, if the 

 air in the store-room is dry. 



Wrappers have a beneficial effect upon the keeping of fruit, pro- 

 longing its season frequently beyond the normal limit. The spread 

 of rot spores is largely preA'ented, and mechanical injury to the 

 fruit in handling is largely averted. In the case of peaches and 

 berries the wrapper prevents the absorption of odors likely to be 

 present during the summer when a variety of commodities are 

 stored in the same room. The more impervious the paper, the bet- 

 ter it is for such purposes. 



As to temperatures, it may be stated as a general i)riuciple, that 

 the lower the temperature within the limit of safety to the fruit 

 stored, the longer will the fruit keep. This is explained by the 

 fact that the low^er temperatures retard the life processes of the 

 fruit to a much greater extent than do the higher. Bartlett pears 

 stored in a temperature of 36 degrees F. in 1902, and again in 1903, 

 reached Iheir commercial limit within four weeks, while in a tem- 

 perature of 32 degrees F. the fruit was still firm and sound at 

 the end of six weeks to two months. 



