214 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 180. 



The sampling was done by Dr. Stevens. The results of his examina- 

 tions are given in Table 16. They show that the crated fruit was in much 

 better condition than that in barrels in all the lots, especially those of the 

 Howes variety. 



The results of these tests accord with the conclusions given in last year's 

 report (pages 23 and 24) regarding the use of crates instead of barrels as 

 shipping containers for cranberries. These results Avere confirmed by 

 those obtained with shipments of berries from another bog to Portland, 

 Me., made by Dr. Stevens, but not described here. 



12. The Relative Development of Decay in Different Periods of the Storage 

 Season. — The four series of tests to determine this were conducted as 

 follows : — 



(a) On September 22, 20 quart cans were filled with entirely sound ber- 

 ries from each of 7 half-filled crates of Early Black fruit picked at the 

 same time in the same general location on the station bog three days 

 before. This fruit was stored at once, and the different 20-can lots were 

 examined one after another at intervals of two weeks. 



(b) On October 4, 10 quart cans were filled with sound berries from 

 each of 12 half-filled crates of Howes fruit picked at the same time and in 

 the same place on the station bog the day before. These cans were stored 

 at once, and the different 10-can lots were examined one after another at 

 weekly intervals. 



(c) Quart cans were filled with sound Early Black fruit in lots of 10, 

 from each of 13 half-filled crates successively, at weekly intervals from 

 September 20 to December 13, inclusive, the berries all having been 

 picked at the same time and in the same general location on the station 

 bog on September 19. The cans of each lot were stored as soon as filled 

 and were examined at the end of a two-week storage. 



(d) Quart cans were filled with sound Howes fruit in lots of 10, from 

 each of 1 1 half -filled crates successively^ at weekty intervals from October 

 4 to December 13, inclusive, the berries all having been picked at the same 

 time and in the same location on the station bog on October 3. The cans 

 of each lot were stored as soon as filled and were examined at the end of a 

 two-week storage. 



The arrangement and results of all these series of tests are given in 

 order in Table 17. They failed to show any distinct difference in the rate 

 of rot development in the various periods of the storage season, this general 

 result differing from that of last j^ear's experiment ^ in this connection. 

 The writer now thinks that the handling of the berries in selecting them 

 for these tests, and their lack of ventilation in the tightly covered cans, 

 may have so affected their keeping as to hide different results that perhaps 

 would have been obtained under more normal storage conditions. The 

 description of the tests is included here for its possible value in making 

 future comparisons, and as a record of work done. Further experiments 

 along this line should be tried. 



1 Bui. No. 168, Mass. Agr. Expt. Sta., 1916, p. 18. 



