-8- 



In orchard //2 the production of all apples V7as appro::iniately 15,000 bushels. 

 The pickers were paid on the piecework basis. The lack of supervision cost this 

 grower a considerable amount of money. 



In the case of orchard v,-l only 4,6 percent of the apples harvested would 

 be eliminated from Fancy grade because of mechanical injury while in orchard #2 

 approximately 40 percent of the apples would be eliminated. 



For the twenty orchards studied 17 percent of the apples would be eliminated, 



This study indicates rather conclusively that mechanical injury of Mcintosh 

 apples at harvest can be minimized by: 



1. Adequate supervision 



2. Specific instruction of the pickers. 



3. Payment of the pickers on the hourly rather than the piecework basis. 



4. Discharge of the careless or indolent picker. 



This study has demonstrated that Mcintosh apples can be harvested, even in 

 large orchards, with a minimum of bruising and that the attitude of a picker is 

 more important than the number of years he may have been picking apples. 



What happens to the apples as regards mechanical injury after they are 

 picked is another story which will appear in a subsequent issue of "Fruit Notes". 



0. C. Roberts 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



I 

 MSTEN THE RATE OF APPLE COOLIIIG BY PROPER STACi;iNG 



Rapid cooling of fruit in the cold storage is an extremely important phase 

 of cold storage management. The cooling of apples from field temperature to 

 32°F within 2 or 3 days instead of 4 to 6 weeks can make a great deal of differ- 

 ence in the rate of softening, breakdown, and moisture loss of the fruit. Suit- 

 able cooling capacity and air circulating systems cannot function properly if 

 the fruit is not stacked in such a way that some air movement occurs along at 

 least tvi70 sides of every box. 



It is to be expected that suitable stacking arrangements must vary from 

 room to room depending upon room size and shape, v/hether boxes are hand-piled or 

 pallet-loaded, the type and location of the refrigeration diffuser, and the 

 presence or absence of an air duct. 



The basic idea behind any stacking arrangement should be such that the air 

 from the cold diffuser moves through the stack, rather than short circuiting 

 through open aisles or wall spaces, before it returns to the intake side of the 

 cooling unit. Boxes should be stacked at least 6 inches from all v;alls, from 

 12 to 13 inches below the ceiling, and on slats at least 1 to 2 inches off the 

 floor. This is necessary to allov; for needed air movement around the sides, 

 top, and bottom of the stack and to reduce the tendency of heat loss directly 

 through the v;alls and floor. 



