continued life and health of the product. Its efficiency in reduc- 

 ing moisture loss must be compromised. 



Package Barriers . Polyethylene liners or curtains and wax 

 coated containers are widely used to reduce moisture loss. These 

 have the advantage of providing continuing protection throughout 

 distribution. While poly liners must be vented for gas exchange, 

 they still provide a virtually saturated atmosphere within the con- 

 tainer. Poly curtains and wax coated containers create a somewhat 

 lower relative humidity within the container. This is desirable 

 for some commodities, especially if the maintenance of constant low 

 temperatures during distribution is questionable. Such barriers 

 effectively prevent the onset of shrivel during the marketing of a 

 number of fruits. Certain films used in consumer packaging of pro- 

 duce can also provide effective moisture barriers. 



Precautions . The handling requirements of the particular com- 

 modity should be thoroughly understood. Consult a reliable refer- 

 ence when necessary. In managing the product to avoid moisture 

 loss, other problems must not be aggravated. High relative humid- 

 ity conditions must be accompanied by low holding temperatures to 

 avoid intensifying rot problems. Either the management of air ve- 

 locity, or the use of moisture barriers must not slow the cooling 

 of the product beyond safe limits. The use of waxes or package 

 barriers must not reduce gas exchange to a level that cannot be 

 tolerated by the product. 



Slowing moisture loss may reduce product deterioration during 

 marketing. If moisture loss has been the limiting factor, then the 

 market life of the commodity may be prolonged. However, protection 

 from moisture loss should be viewed as one aspect of good product 

 management, and used primarily to maintain appearance and reduce 

 losses during the normal marketing. 



*************** 



POMOLOGICAL PARAGRAPH 



Hot spiced cider : Interest was expressed in the recipe for hot 

 spiced cider used by Bill and Jane Eyssen, Mapleside Farms, Bruns 

 wick, Ohio. The recipe is as follows: 



HOT SPJCEV CIVER 



To I Gal. Uaptn&ldt Swtzt Cldzfi 

 Add: 



3 Tbli. Homy 

 12 Wholz Clove.6 

 I C-cnnamon StA,ck 

 1/2 Ltmon Sllctd 



Slmmzn. 10 minatci 



*************** 



