FRUIT STORAGE INVESTIGATIONS. 199 



lows that when the life processes are materially reduced, the fruit will 

 remain in good conditino a greater length of time. This is the principle 

 upon which the cold storage of food products is based. 



The low temperature may also retard the growth and development 

 of various forms of decay or rot, due to fungi, which grow upon the 

 fruits and destroy them. Most of these fungi can not germinate at 

 the low storage temperature (32 degrees F. ) but when once started, 

 they continue slowly to develop, and may entirely destroy the fruit in 

 the storage rooms. The most common forms of decay, however, are 

 dependent wholly upon the character of the handling which the fruit 

 receives in preparing it for market. 



Other form of decay which are not dependent upon abrasions in the 

 skin to gain entrance in the fruit are dependent upon proper moisture 

 and heat conditions for their germination and growth. By reducing the 

 temperature to a point at which the fungus cannot grow, disease can 

 be held in check. 



Under orchard treatment and conditions we must consider spray- 

 ing for the control of insects and fungus diseases. Where the spraying 

 work is not thorough and efficient a considerable proportion of the 

 fruit may be injured by insects and consequently rendered susceptible 

 to decay. All such injured fruit should be religiously excluded from 

 packages intended for storage. Where the insect or disease injury is 

 primarily not to the fruit itself, it is just as important that the spray 

 be efficient. Any insect or disease which interferes with the normal 

 Vitality and growth of the trees, likewise affects the quality of the 

 fruit. This is a fact well-known to all up-to-date orchardists, but the 

 effect on the storage quality of tlie fruit is not so well appreciated. 



Seasonal Influences. 



It is a well-known fact that during unfarorable seasons the quality 

 as well as the quantity of the fruit produced may be affected. In 

 case of unusual drought the man who irrigates has some advantages 

 over the grower who is wholly dependent upon natural weather 

 conditions. Following destructive frosts the crop may be thinned to 

 such an extent that the remaining fruits are overgrown and sappy, 

 and consequently of low keeping quality in storage. On the other hand, 

 fruit produced by overladen trees has weak storage quality, and a spring 

 frost may thin the crop just to the desired point. Fruit produced 

 under favorable seasonal conditions must be carefully watched during 

 the storage periods, so that it may be sold and consumed before it has 

 deteriorated to any great extent. 



Proper Staj^e of Maturity for Storage Fniit. 



The investigation of the Bureau of Plant Industry have shown that 

 fruit which isfully matured and well colored holds better and longer 

 in storage than immature, poorly colored fruits. When the bureau 

 investigations were began the common practice was to pick fruit 



