22 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



the avocado, the mango, and other tropical fruits will be as well 

 known as the pomelo or the pineapple. 



Improvements in transportation have also materially length- 

 ened the season of many fruits, such as strawberries, which can not 

 be stored for any considerable period. Florida and the Carolinas now 

 send their berries to Northern markets months before the home- 

 grown crop can be expected and several weeks before that from tide- 

 water Virginia or New Jersey is ripe. As an illustration of the effect 

 of improved methods in shipping fruit, it may be mentioned that 

 melons from the south of France, hothouse peaches from Belgium, 

 and peaches, plums and other fruits from South Africa are now sent 

 to our American markets in winter. The introduction or origination 

 of new varieties of fruits also prolongs the season. As an instance 

 may be cited the Peen-to peach, a Chinese variety which can be suc- 

 cessfully raised in Florida and Texas, and which is found in our 

 Northern markets in early spring, though at present at prices which 

 clearly make it a luxury. Furthermore, improved methods of culture 

 and transportation have extended the area planted to old and well- 

 known varieties. (F. B. 293.) 



Precooling of Fruit. Precooling has become a very important 

 factor in the transportation of fruit. To the grower and shipper it is 

 important as a means of extending the marketing area of the product 

 by assuring its delivery in sound condition over long distances. To 

 the carrier the sound condition of the fruit is an important considera- 

 tion, but mainly from the traffic standpoint. Precooled fruit may 

 be loaded more closely and heavily, thereby increasing the carrying 

 capacity of the cars, and less ice will be consumed en route. But 

 whether the reduction of the initial temperature is properly the 

 function of the shipper or the carrier is still an open question. 



As an adjunct to careful handling in preparing fruits for mar- 

 ket, precopling will materially assist in minimizing losses from decay 

 and deterioration in transit. It is in no sense a panacea for all the 

 difficulties of carrying fruits in sound condition to distant markets. 

 It can not improve the quality or condition of the product packed and 

 can only temporarily retard decay following injuries made by rough 

 handling; but it renders unnecessary the packing of such fruit as 

 peaches, plums, and apricots in a hard, green condition in order to 

 offset the ripening which takes place in cars under ordinary icing 

 methods. It reduces the differences frequently occurring between 

 the top and bottom tiers of the load by equalizing temperature con- 

 ditions within the car. (Y. B. 1910.) 



Overproduction of Frvflt. Occasionally there is an overproduc- 

 tion of fruit, but it is usually of inferior quality. It rarely occurs 

 that there is an overproduction of choice fruit. One great difficulty 

 with which the fruit grower has to contend is in the methods of fruit 

 distribution. Because of lack of system in this respect consumers 

 are often unable to get the kind and quality of fruit they want, 

 although there may be an abundance in the country. The tendency 

 of the market is in the direction of cheaper fruit, while at the same 

 time there is a growing discrimination in taste as respects its quality 



