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CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE 



The controlled atmosphere or so-called "gas" storage room at H.S.C. 

 was opened April 30 just a little over seven months after it v/as sealed up 

 on September 25, 1942. The Mcintosh apples from this room vfhich vi&s held 

 at 40° F. were more firm, crisp and juicy and definitely higher in eating 

 quality than similar apples held at 32° in a common cold storage room. 

 This was due to the fact that in the controlled atmosphere storage vmere 

 the oxygen supply was drastically reduced and the carbon dioxide was main- 

 tained at a relatively high level, the apples "lived" at a comparatively 

 slow rate even at the 40° F. temperature. As previously described, apples 

 use up oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. In the tight room, this process 

 contined until the oxygen level was dovm to 2% or at times slij^htly lower. 

 The carbon dioxide increased, of course, but was not allovred to get above 

 10^ because of possible toxic effects. This was accomplished by periodically 

 removing this gas by passing the atmosphere of the room through a special 

 "washer." The contents of oxygen and carbon dioxide were measured every 

 other day or so to determine when "washing" or ventilation were required 

 to maintain the artificial atmosphere. 



One trouble not encountered heretofore was a soft scald type of 

 injury which may have been due to an insufficiency of oxygen during the in- 

 tervals v/'hen the oxygen level v/as below 2^^. This experience indicates the 

 special care that must be exercised in operating a storage of this kind. 

 However, the peculiar difficulties encountered with this type of storage 

 are far from insurmountable as proven by the successful operation of sev- 

 eral controlled atraosphore storages in Hew York State. It is reported that 

 Mcintosh out of these storages this spring brought from one to tv-o dollars 

 a bushel above the wholesale market price of regular cold storage Mcintosh. 

 Perhaps, with the return of peacetime conditions, controlled atmosphere 

 storage may find a place in Massachusetts, at least on a limited scale. 



— Lawrence Southwick 

 — 0. C. Roberts 



THE FUNGICIDE AHD INSECTICIDE SITUATION 



The following information is based upon recent reports chiefly from 

 the Agricultural Insecticide and Fungicide Association, the Agricultural Chem- 

 icals Section of the Office of Price Administration, and the Chemicals Division 

 of the Food Production Administration. 



Lead Arsenate: The production for 1943, which will be lO^o less than 

 in 1942 but 10^T"g."^ter than in 1941, is to be cOmpletedby June 30. A re- 

 strictive order precludes its use on shade trees, ornamentals, lawns and golf 

 greens at least ui-^til after sufficient supplies are assured to protect essen- 

 tial crops. The supply available for food and fiber crops is expected to 

 equal that used for the corresponding crops in 1942. 



Calcium Arsenate; The present schedule calls for a substantial in- 

 crease over the 'supply m 1942. Sixty per cent of the total production vail 

 be completed by June 30 compared with 40 per cent at that date last year. 



