8 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 315 



these products and has now reached a total well above that amount. The cars, 

 are handled quickly, and the products are distributed as rapidly as possible and 

 reach the retailer when fresh. 



There are market terminals in twelve of our large markets, ranging in size 

 from Atlanta, Georgia, to Washington, D. C. Some of these are owned by rail- 

 roads and produce trade, and operated by the railroads and (or) a Terminal 

 Company or market company. 



In Boston, the buyers at the market terminal include several groups: (1) whole- 

 salers from Boston and from other markets from Portland to New Bedford; 

 (2) retailers who do a volume of business which warrants buying the units speci- 

 fied; (3) chain store systems; (4) regular jobbers; and (5) traveling jobbers whose 

 business is sufficient so they can buy the required quantities. 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING 

 C. I. Gunness in Charge 



Investigation of Apple Storages. (C. I. Gunness in cooperation with the Depart- 

 ment of Pomology.) The study on holding apples at 45° F. during the time of 

 loading and for a short period thereafter before reducing to 32° has been con- 

 tinued. The results are being reported by the Department of Pomology. 



The test on the effect of humidity on the keeping of apples was continued. 

 Mcintosh were stored under three different humidities and two sets of tempera- 

 ture conditions, with the following results: 



Temperature 

 (°F.) 



*34 



*45 to 35 . 



♦Throughout the season. 

 **Started at 45° Oct. 1 and gradually reduced to 35° by Feb. 1. 



None of the apples held at 34° had shriveled badly, although those kept at the 

 lower humidity showed slight shriveling. Those kept at the higher temperature 

 showed shriveling at all humidities although much more noticeably at the low 

 humidities. It is felt that the test on humidity at the high temperature is not 

 significant as the high temperature was maintained too long for proper holding 

 of the fruit. The experiment is being continued during the present season on a 

 schedule which reduces the temperature to 32° by November 15. 



Apple Washer. (C. I. Gunness.) The construction of an apple washer was 

 reported in last year's annual report. Some further work has been done on this 

 washer, and trials indicate that apples are handled with very little bruising, spray 

 residue is removed satisfactorily, and the final rinsing removes the acid quite 

 completely. A detailed report of the test is made by the Department of Ento- 

 mology. 



Pump Testing. (C. I. Gunness.) In former years mention has been made of 

 the testing of low-lift pumps used by cranberry growers. During the past year a 

 pump testing plant has been built at the college for the testing of pumps and for 

 the study and development of efficient types of pumps suitable for cranberry bogs. 



