146 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



VEGETABLE STORAGE AND STORAGE LIFE FACTORS. 



In cooperation with the Bureau of Markets, handling and life- 

 history studies of tomatoes were carried on in Florida, particularly 

 with a view to determining at what degree of ripeness tomatoes 

 should be picked for shipment to northern markets in order that the 

 best carrying qualities and the best dessert qualities might be real- 

 ized. It was found, among other things, that the age of the tomato, 

 that is, the time ela^Dsing between the blossoming stage and the pick- 

 ing date, was of primary importance rather than the size of the 

 fruits. 



In the shipping tests with tomatoes it was determined that it was 

 better not to wrap the individual fruits; the ripening process takes 

 place better under full ventilation ; if held under un ventilated condi- 

 tions offensive tastes and odors are likely to develop. 



Freezing work on potatoes has been conducted, which is similar in 

 character to the freezing work with relation to fruits, involving a 

 determination of the temperature and the length of exposure to such 

 temperature which will result in frost injury. 



The behavior of celery, cauliflower, and lettuce when held in dif- 

 ferent storage temperatures has been critically studied. The prac- 

 ticability of storing these products on a very much more extensive 

 scale than has been followed heretofore is indicated. Cauliflower, 

 which as a rule has not been stored except for very brief periods, 

 can apparently be held at a temperature of 32 F. for a period of 

 30 to 40 days. 



A very limited amount of work has been done in the cold storage 

 of flowers. The results secured in a preliminary way suggest the 

 practicability of florists inaugurating very different methods of 

 holding their flowers than those now in use wherever conditions may 

 so suggest. Roses held at a temperature of 32 F. were in fair con- 

 dition long after they w^ould have completely deteriorated under the 

 usual method of handling. Easter lilies after being stored for three 

 weeks were removed in good condition and remained so for four days 

 after being placed at common room temperature. Held for two 

 weeks in storage Easter lilies stood up for five days in a warm room. 

 Peonies and other flowers held up a surprisinglv long time in a tem- 

 perature of 32 F. 



INVESTIGATIONS OF TRUCK-CROP PRODUCTION. 



The work with sweet potatoes has been considerably enlarged both 

 because of the need of fundamental information along certain lines 

 and the importance of the crop in a large part of the country as a 

 source of food. The work is carried on principally at Arlington 

 Farm and at Florence, S. C, at the Peedee substation in connection 

 with the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. The 

 work consists of a comprehensive study of varieties, for the purpose 

 of working out a key by means of which varieties can be identified, 

 and the varieties adapted to different regions and for such purposes 

 as table use, stock feed, and as a possible source of sirup, sugar, and 

 perhaps starch and other products, can be determined. Under the 

 cultural and development phases of the work, investigations are being 

 made in hill selection for the securing of seed stock, selections being- 

 made with regard to those having no string, those having a maxi- 



