SUMMARY. 21 



turiKHl rod mul luM-aiiu' unsalulilc. (.'ninhonios kopt throiiuhout I lie 

 winter aiul were withdrawn the last of April in good conimercial 

 condition. 



These statements are Imsed upon tests with small fruits paeked in 

 the customary wa}' as for market and stored in a temperature of 32^ F. 

 Wrapped fruit and fruit stored in moderately tight packages kept for 

 somewhat longer periods. 



THE BEHAVIOR OF SMALL FRUITS WHEN WITHDRAWN FROM 



COLD STORAGE. 



Small fruits do not hold up long after withdrawal from cold storage 

 on account of their highly perishable nature. In the tests of the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry strawberries, raspberries, and Idackberries 

 which had been stored for several daj-s usually began to break down 

 within six to sixteen hours after removal from storage, while currants 

 and gooseberries held up from twelve to twenty-four hours, or even 

 longer. 



Small fruits need to be placed in the hands ot" the consumer as 

 (piicklv as possiljle after removal from cold storage. If disposed of 

 (juickly after withdrawal, small fruits which have not been stored too 

 long or subjected to unfavorable conditions in handling or storing will 

 be in wholesome condition about as long as fruit in similar condition 

 of ripeness and soundness that has not been in cold storage. 



SUMMARY. 



Cold storage has not exerted so important an influence upon the 

 development of the small-fruit business as upon the growing of apples, 

 pears, and other tree fruits. Small fruits are not adapted to keeping 

 for any length of time in cold storage. 



Most of the small fruits are held in cold storage to protect them 

 from deca}^, usually not more than two or three days, luitil they can 

 be placed in the hands of the consumer. 



Nevertheless cold storage is a factor of no small importance in the 

 handling of the small-fruit crop. Shipments of small fruits reaching 

 destination too late for the earh' morning market are usuall}' placed 

 in cold storage until the following morning. Large quantities of 

 small fruits are stored for two or three days when the markets are 

 glutted and when prospects are good for an advance in prices. Many 

 canneries are equipped with cold storage plants for use in preserving 

 berries and other fruits until they can be utilized. In some sections 

 small farm storage houses are used in connection with the handling of 

 small fruits. Small fruits are sometimes stored in a frozen condition 



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