ANNUAL REPORT, 1937 9 



The Early Black berries picked on September 9 were quite "green" in appear- 

 ance and not in prime condition for sale. Those stored at 50° colored very satis- 

 factorily in storage, while those stored at 30° and 35° had changed but little 

 during the storage period. Those held in common storage had colored slightly 

 more than those held at 30° and 35°, but far less than those stored at 50°. This 

 was true in spite of the fact that the temperature in the common storage rooms 

 averaged considerably higher than 50°. 



Early Blacks picked on September 25 were well colored, so there was but slight 

 opportunity for further coloring. The berries stored at 50" did, however, show 

 deeper reddish color than any of the other samples. 



The observations in regard to coloring of Early Blacks were duplicated on 

 Howes. Those picked "green" colored materially more at 50° than at other 

 temperatures, and the same tendency was noticed on those which were well 

 colored when picked. 



An experimental storage was provided for the 1937 crop, with facilities for 

 holding berries at 35°, 40°, 45°, and 50°. Berries were stored at these temperatures, 

 as well as in three common storages. The storage losses are given in Table 2. 



TABLE 2.— Storage Losses in Percent, 1937-1938 



Storage Conditions 

 Early Black, picked Sept. 9: 



Stored Sept. 9-Nov. 10. . . 



Stored Sept. 9- Nov. 30. . . 

 Early Black, picked Sept. 25 



Stored Sept. 25-Nov. 10. . 



Stored Sept. 25-Nov. 30.. 

 Howes, picked Sept. 25: 



Stored Sept. 25-Nov. 30. . 



Stored Sept. 25-Jan. 31 . 

 Howes, picked Oct 15: 



Stored Oct. 15-Nov. 30. 



Stored Oct. 15-Jan. 31. 



Coloring of the various lots of berries in storage in 1937 was very similar to 

 that in 1936. There was no appreciable difference in coloring in berries stored 

 at 45° and at 50°, but both these lots were more highly colored than any of the 

 other lots. The development of color in storage was naturally most noticeable 

 on berries which were picked "green." 



A study of the results obtained would seem to justify the following conclusions: 



1. Minimum storage losses will occur if berries are held at 35°. 



2. "Green" berries can be colored most satisfactorily at a temperature of 45°. 



3. Storage losses can be reduced from 5 to 10 percent by holding berries at 



from 35° to 45°, as compared with storage in the ordinary screenhouse. 



4. The reduction in storage loss through the use of mechanical refrigeration 



will naturally be greater on berries harvested early than those picked late. • 

 Temperatures in the ordinary screenhouse are high in the early part of 

 September but drop appreciably by the first of October. 



Apple Storage Investigation. (C. L Gunness.) The work on apple storages 

 during the past >ear has been confined to observations on the behavior of refrigera- 

 tion plants using low pressure gases, such as methyl chloride and Freon, with 

 blowers equipped with copper fin-type coils. Where blowers are of ample size, 

 they have given satisfactory results in defrosting, particularly inasmuch as most 



