434 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



SHIPPING PRODUCE IN COLD WEATHER. 



HIPMENTS of such perishable farm produce as apples, potatoes, etc., 

 during the winter season are always fraught with danger of freezing 

 while in transit. The cold snap during the middle of November 

 resulted in considerable loss to shippers who were caught in just 

 this way. Potatoes forwarded in unprotected cars were at times so 

 badly frostbitten that receivers could get but 25c. to 35c. per bush, for 

 stock which ought to have been worth nearly twice that much. The weather 

 bureau of the United States Department of Agriculture has prepared some inter- 

 esting figures regarding the temperature in degrees which various articles of 

 farm produce can stand without injury when unprotected. Tabulated, the 

 figures given in degrees above zero are as follows : 



Apple?, in bbls 20 Flowers 35 



Apples, loose 28 Grapes 34 



Apricots, in bskts 35 Lemons, boxed 36 



Bananas 45 Mandarins 32 



Cabbage, in Crates 30 Oranges, boxed 25 



Celery 30 Onions, boxed 20 



Cider 22 Pineapples 35 



Cranberries 28 Potatoes, Irish, bbls 33 



Eggs, in bbls. or era 30 Potatoes, sweet 36 



In the transportation of fruits and vegetables there are three primary objects 

 to be obtained. First, the protection of shipments against frost or excessive 

 cold. Second, the protection of the same against excessive heat, and finally 

 the circulation of air through the car so as to carry off the gases generated by 

 this class of fruit. In shipping goods, injury is liable to occur from long expo- 

 sure to a temperature but little below 32°, or from a shorter exposure to a 

 greater cold so that the duration as well as the intensity of the cold must be 

 considered. The temperature of the produce when put Into the car is quite a 

 feature to be observed. If it has been exposed to a low temperature for a 

 considerable time before, it is in a poor condition to withstand the cold, and the 

 length of time so exposed should be taken into account. 



As a rule, perishable stuff can be shipped with safety in ordinary freight 

 cars when the outside temperature is 20° above zero. In refrigerator cars safety 

 may be assumed when the outside temperature is 10° above zero. In the latter, 

 the goods may be safely shipped with a temperature outside of from zero to 10° 

 below if the car is first heated and at the end of the journey the goods are 

 taken immediately into a warm place. In winter time refrigerator cars are 

 used without ice in forwarding goods from the Pacific Coast. In passing 

 through cold belts or stretches of country the hatches are closed and the car, 

 being lined, with padded doors, affords protection against the outside tempera- 

 ture. In passing through warm climates the hatches are opened in order to 

 prevent perishable goods from heating and decaying. 



