B. P. I.— I'SJ. 



THE a)Li) stora(;f. of small fruits. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The beneficiiil influence of cold storage on fruit growing in America 

 has not ])eeu shared equally by all branches of the industry. Some 

 kinds of fruit are better adapted to storing in cold temperatures than 

 others, and are in active demand through a longer season. Winter 

 apples and pears can be kept in good condition for long periods in cold 

 storage, and a large part of the late apple and pear crops of the United 

 States is now held in cold storage ammally to insure a supply of these 

 fruits in good condition throughout the winter and spring months. 

 Upon the other hand, berries and other small fruits are not stored to 

 nearly so great an extent on account of their highly perishable nature. 



The storage of small fruits is a problem somewhat different from 

 the stomge of the more durable fruits. Winter apples and pears are 

 usually too hard and innnature when stored to be tit for inunediate con- 

 sumption. Cold storage insures the safe keeping of these fruits for 

 long periods, and under proper management brings out their tinest 

 flavor and quality. The fruits ripen slowly in the low temperature of 

 the storage house, the acids diminish, the starch changes to sugar if 

 the transformation is not already completed when the fruit is stored, 

 and the fine flavor and aroma of the fruit are developed. 



In the storage of small fruits the conditions and purposes are differ- 

 ent. The strawberry, for example, is usually developed to the highest 

 state of perfection when picked; the quality is not improved by further 

 ripening, and the fruit needs to be consumed ([uickly. All that can 

 be hoped for from cold storage is to preserve for a short period the 

 attractive appearance and fine ffavor of the fruit. 



In commercial practice, small fruits are sometimes stored for specu- 

 lative purposes. The fruit is bought when the market is low; it is 

 stored until prices advance, and it is then sold at a profit. Owing to 

 the extremely perishable nature of most of the small fruits, however, 

 this must be regarded as a hazardous practice. The great bulk of 

 small fruits held in cold storage is placed there to protect the fruits tem- 

 porarily from decay until they can be placed in the hands of the con- 

 sumer. Shipments of small fruits are frequently delayed in transit 

 32241— No. 108—07 2 7 



