STORAGE OF PEACHES 



Several years ago it was rather common to find peaches stored at 40°F or 

 higher. As a reminder to growers, research workers have found that a storage 

 temperature of 32°F Is most suitable for peaches. There is practically no 

 softening of fruit at this temperature. Haller and Harding (U.S.D.A. Technical 

 Bui. 680) showed that peaches soften 20 times as fast at 80°F as at 32o (Table 1) 



Table 1. Dally Rate of Softening of Peaches at Various Temperatures.* 



*Mean of 4 varieties for two years. 



In addition to the slower ripening rate of peaches at 32°F, less mealiness 

 and breakdown occurs at this temperature than at higher storage temperatures. 

 Haller and Harding found that abnormal ripening takes place If peaches are stored 

 between 36° and 50OF for any extended period of time. Undesirable flavor developed 

 at 50°F and rapid flavor loss and internal breakdown and mealiness occurred at 

 40° and 360F. 



Growers who have had poor results when storing peaches for two or three weeks 

 might try delayed storage. If the peaches are to be sold at the roadside stand, 

 hold them at 70 to 80°F after harvest, until they are practically eating ripe 

 before placing them in storage. This procedure as research results have shown 

 may prevent the development of mealiness. Fruit to be sold to stores should not 

 be held as long at 70 to 80°F because firmer fruit is necessary for this method 

 of sale. 



A delay In storage is not necessary if peaches are to be held in storage for 

 only three or four days. 



Only peaches free of bruises and brown rot infection should be stored. Even 

 under the most favorable conditions peaches cannot usually be stored longer than 

 two or three weeks . 



---William J. Lord 

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



POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH 



Netting to Protect Small Fruit From Birds 



At present there appears to be no satisfactory method of protecting fruit 

 from the depredations of birds except covering with some sort of netting, A list 

 of suppliers of netting can be obtained by dropping a card to the Editor of 

 Fruit Notes, Department of Horticulture, French Hall, University of Massachusetts. 



