lo Aug., 1909.] Storage Experiment with Mild lira Grapes. 509 



STORAGE EXPERIMEI^T WITH MILDIRA GRAPES. 



/•'. de Cnstella, Government Viticnltarist. 



This experiment was the outcome of the request of the Mildura Shire 

 Council of the 8th February last thaf an experimental shipment of half 

 a ton or grapes be made to London, in order to test the practicability of 

 disposing of surplus Gordo Blanco grapes by shipment in the fresh state. 



Granulated cork was not at the time obtainable in Melbourne and a 

 few days' delay was experienced in getting some cork ground uj) locally. 

 During this time rain fell at Mildura and the Secretary of the Shire 

 suggested that under the circumstances it would be better not to ship the 

 grapes. The cases and cork dust having in the meantime been forwarded 

 it seemed a pity that the expense already incurred should be to no purpose, 

 and I suggested that the cases be fdled with various varieties of grapes 

 the keeping qualities of which could be tested by storing them for a 

 couple of months in the Government Cool Stores. Mr. Grossmann secured 

 the necessary grapes and attended to the packing and forwarding which 

 were carefully carried out. 



The grapes were sent from Mildura in two lots on the 19th and 22nd 

 March respectively. On arrival at Melbourne they were stored in one of 

 the chambers at the Government Cool Stores and kept at a temperature of 

 35 deg. F. On the 27th April, Mr. Grossmann being in town, I visited 

 the Cool Stores with him and we inspected a few of the cases. They were 

 then in fair order. We decided to leave them for another five or six weeks 

 in cool storage in order to have a thorough test of the powers of resistance 

 •of the different varieties. 



On the 17th June, in company with Messrs. R. Crowe and J. Knight, 

 I again inspected these grapes. As a result of our examination. I sub- 

 mitted a report recommending that, as the bulk of the grapes were not 

 marketable, they had better be utilized for a wine making experiment. 

 This recommendation, which was endorsed by Mr. Knight, was approved 

 and given effect to on the 21st, when the grapes were unpacked and 

 crushed. 



A very marked difference was noticeable in the condition of the dif- 

 ferent varieties. The following notes are submitted for the information 

 of those interested in the question of grape shipment : — 



The bulk of the grapes were of the Gordo Blanco variety and these 

 stood the test far less satisfactorily than some others which were only 

 represented by small quantities. The experiment w^as first suggested in 

 order to test the possibility of profitably shipping Gordo Blancos. The 

 'Other sorts were included for purposes of comparison. The following is 

 a list of fhe cases showing the quantities and varieties stored. The cases 

 •were close bushel cases divided transversely by a partition. The grapes 

 'were packed in cork : — 



Cases. 



Gordo Blanco 



Gordo Blanco (second crop) 

 Doradillo 

 Waltham Cross 

 Waltham Cross (second crop) 

 Belas Blanc .•• 



(supposei 



In addition, there were four of Bradley's patent cases which provide 

 abundant ventilation and in which the bunches are separated by veneer 

 •strips. These were filled as follows : — 2 Gordo Blanro. i Waltham 

 Cross, and r Red Malaga. 



