-7- 



Lack of success in the other tv;o tests seemed to be due to lack of good 

 air circulation. Differences in scald due to air purification was studied 

 in all ten tests. In five of these tests the results v.-ere very striking, 

 that is, air purification gave as good or better control of scald than 

 oiled paper. In two of the tests the results could only be called "promising." 

 That is, there v/as a significant reduction in scald but not a satisfactory 

 control. The remaining three tests were classed as "failures." These fail- 

 ures seemed to be due in large part to inadequate circulation of the purified 

 air. 



Four tests were made on a commercial scale in controlled atmosphere 

 storage. Three of the four tests gave very satisfactory control of scald 

 whereas in the fourth the results could only be classed as "promising." The 

 reason for lack of complete success in the fourth case is not clear at this 

 time. One of the striking results of air purification in this t-^^e of storage 

 was that the apples could be sold immediately after opening the room. Here- 

 tofore the apples had to be aired out for a few days in fresh air to rid them 

 of the accumulated foul odors of the gas tight rooms. In this type of storage 

 it can be said that eating quality is actually improved by air purification. 



Points Needing Further 3tudy 



1. Is impregnation of the activated carbon with something like bromine ab- 

 solutely necessary? 



2. Is there a more satisfactory impregnating material than bromine? 



3. Is the present standard of 4 canisters of activated carbon per 1000 bushels 

 sufficient? of a^^y 



4. Y/hat is the optimum rate/flow per canister? 



5. Are auxiliary fans necessary for the activated carbon unit v/hen the cold 

 diffuser blower is "over-capacity?" 



Conclusions: 



Results on air purification to lengthen the storage life of the apple 

 have been good enough to warrant further testing on a large scale. Good air 

 circulation is absolutely necessary for good results. YIe are not yet ready 

 to recOTiimend the process v^rith any real guarantee of success, but feel that 

 commercial trials are well worthwhile. 



1945 FRUIT CROP (from Farm Economic Facts) 



Apples 



On a National basis, the commercial apple crop estimated at 66,754,000 

 bushels is the smallest ever recorded and a little more than half as large as 

 the 1944 yield. Likewise cold-storage holdings on October 1, 1945, were only 

 3.8 million bushels or less than one half the quantity in cold storage a year 

 earlier. 



In Massachusetts a much similar condition exists with extremely light 

 receipts and a strong demand even at the nev/ ceiling price which is a step- 

 up of 20 cents per box. Due to the shortness of crop and good demand., practi- 

 cally all apples are packed orchard-run this year and would not measure up to 



