B. P. I.— 53. Pom. I.— 17. 



COLD STORAGE, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE 



PEAR A^D PEACH. 



THE FUNCTION OF COLD STORAGE. 



Fruit is placed in cold storage to retard the life processes which as 

 they progress cause it to ripen and decay. The ripening goes forward 

 more slowly in low temperatures, but still continues in the lowest tem- 

 peratures in which the fruit may be safely stored. Fruit is stored also 

 to prevent the rapid spread of fungous diseases which cause its prema- 

 ture decay. 



A fruit is a living organism, with a life history extending from its 

 earliest growth to final decay, and the cold-storage treatment is 

 designed to retard development without injuring its usefulness in 

 other respects. The rapidity of ripening in the storage temperature 

 depends principally on the habit of the fruit, the degree of maturity 

 at which it enters the storage house, and the temperature and other 

 conditions in which it is stored. It is influenced also by other factors 

 during its growth and by the treatment it receives before it reaches 

 the storage house. 



The warehouse is expected to supply a uniform temperature of the 

 desired degree of cold through the storage compartments during the 

 storage season. It is expected to be managed in other respects so that 

 an unusual loss in the aroma and flavor of the fruit, in texture or in 

 color, or through decay, may not be attributed to a poorly constructed 

 or installed plant, or to its negligent or improper management. If the 

 temperatures are maintained reasonably uniform at the point desired 

 by the fruit storer, if the rooms are kept pure and sweet and laden 

 with sufficient moisture, and if the fruit is handled properly within the 

 warehouse, the storage house fulfills its function in the preservation of 

 fruits. If, on the other hand, the temperatures fluctuate unduly and 

 the fruit freezes to the point of injury, or is made to ripen prematurely, 

 or the rooms are not properly managed, or if ordinary care is not exer- 

 cised in other respects in the management of the house or the handling 

 of the fruit, the storage house fails to fulfill its proper function. 



The warehouseman does not insure the fruit against natural deteriora- 

 tion. He holds it in storage as a trustee, and in that relation is hound 

 to use only that degree, of care in the management of the warehouse 



9 



